Skeletal Muscle Structure

Skeletal muscle structure

A whole skeletal muscle (such as the biceps) is made up of a number of fascicles. A fascicle is made up of a group of muscle fibers (cells) with associated blood vessels and nerves. Within each muscle fiber are a number of myofibrils that run the entire length of the fiber.

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Muscle fibers are long cylindrical multinucleated cells that run the whole length of the muscle. Note the alternating light and dark bands that run along each fiber, this is why skeletal muscle is said to be striated.