Structure of skeletal muscle:

Muscle cells are also termed as muscle fibres. (Figure 16.1) They are long, cylindrical and multinucleated cells. Muscle fibres were organised in three levels. They are epimysium, endomysium and perimysium. Muscles are covered by thick and tough connective tissues called as epimysium. Epimysium separates one muscle from another. Collagen fibres of the eipmysium are wavy in appearance and it has connection with the perimysium. Each perimysium covers 100 to 150 muscle fibres and forms fascicles. Interstitial space between muscle fibres is around 1 µm which allow development of the tunnel in the perimysium thus arteries, veins and nerves can pass through it. In perimysium, collagen fibres are arranged as wavy forms with cross links which helps to improve the strength and stability of the muscle fibres. Endomysium consists of loose connective tissues and they additionally add up the strength of the muscle fibres. Endomysium also connects with the perimysium for the stability.

 

Figure 16.1:  Organization of muscle fibre