Mechanical properties of the rabbit iris smooth muscles.

The study focuses on obtaining the visco-elastic properties of the iris sphincter and dilator muscles. Two kinds of experiments were performed: the isometric contraction experiment and the isotonic quick release experiment. The length-tension relationship was obtained from the former experiment. This relationship clarified the contribution of each muscle in determining the statics of the pupil. The viscous and serial elastic properties were obtained from the latter experiment. The viscosity could be expressed by the expanded Hill's equation as a function of velocity and contractile tension. We argue that serial elasticity is independent of contractile tension. These properties provide insights into the pupillary mechanism.