Question

Rom the inside out, name the three types of connective tissue wrappings of a skeletal muscle.

a.

b.

c.

Question not answered
The correct answers are:
a = endomysium
b = perimysium
c = epimysium

Question
2 of 5


a. (see Question 1, p. 127 in Lab Manual) Why are the connective tissue wrappings of skeletal muscle important? (Give at least three reasons.)

--Answer below:










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AND


b. (see Question 2, p. 127 in Lab Manual) Why are there more indirect—that is, tendinous—muscle attachments than direct muscle attachments? (Your text may help you answer this.)

--Answer belo







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1 out of 1
a. Answer: They support and bind muscle fibers, strengthen the muscle as a whole, and provide a route for the entry and exit of nerves and blood vessels that serve the muscle fibers.

b. Answer: Tendons provide durability and conserve space. They are tough collagen fibers so they can cross rough, bony projections that would tear delicate muscle tissues. Because of their small size, more tendons can pass over a joint.

Answer 1

Skeletal muscles are wrapped in three types of connective tissue: endomysium, perimysium, and epimysium. These tissues provide support, force distribution, and pathways for nerve and blood vessel access. Indirect attachments via tendons are more common because they are durable, space-efficient, and protect muscles from damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

Connective Tissue Wrappings of Skeletal Muscle

From the inside out, skeletal muscles are enclosed in connective tissue scaffolding at three levels. Each muscle fiber is covered by endomysium, which contains extracellular fluid and nutrients supplied via blood to muscle tissue. A group of muscle fibers, organized as a unit called a fascicle, is enclosed by perimysium. This organizational structure is crucial because it allows specific muscle fiber groups within a fascicle to be activated independently for muscle movement. The entire muscle is wrapped in a connective tissue layer called epimysium, which anchors the muscle to tendons.

The importance of these connective tissue wrappings is multifold. Primarily, they provide structural support to muscle fibers and allow them to withstand the forces of contraction. They also enable the distribution of these forces across the muscle, reducing the risk of injury. In addition, these connective tissues offer pathways for nerves and blood vessels to reach and nourish the muscles, maintaining the health and functionality of the muscle tissue.

As for muscle attachments, there are more indirect muscular attachments via tendons than direct attachments. Tendons, composed of tough collagen fibers, provide durability while conserving space within the body. They allow muscles to connect to bones across joints without being damaged by rough bony projections, effectively enabling the muscle to exert force on the skeleton without jeopardizing the integrity of the muscle tissue itself.