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Chapter 11.3 Functional Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle

BOOK TITLE: Understanding Medical Physiology: A Textbook for Medical Students

Author
1. Bijlani R.L.
ISBN
9788180612213
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/10999_76
Edition
3/e
Publishing Year
2004
Pages
3
Author Affiliations
1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
Chapter keywords
connective tissue, intermediate fibres, contractile elements, myofilaments, light microscopy, prominent structure, sarcoplasmic reticulum, terminal cisterns, extracellular space, biochemistry, Golgi tendon organs, receptor organs, Satellite cells

Abstract

This chapter discusses functional anatomy of skeletal muscle, where a typical skeletal muscle consists of a fat belly with a tendon at either end. The muscle belly is enclosed in a connective tissue covering called epimysium. The connective tissue around each muscle bundle is called perimysium. The cell membrane around a muscle cell is called sarcolemma and its cytoplasm is called sacroplasm. Satellite cells are stem cells which normally stay dormant but are activated when the muscle is injured. A very prominent structure in the muscle fibre is a network of tubular structures known as sarcoplasmic reticulum. The nerve fibres terminate at specialized junctions known as motor end plates. The muscle also has receptor organs which are sensitive to stretch, called muscle spindles. Besides the sensory nerve endings, muscle spindles also have thin muscle fibres known as intrafusal muscle fibres. The tendons also have stretch-sensitive structures known as Golgi tendon organs.

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