- know that the main function of muscle is movement
- know what the word contract/contraction means
- know where you find skeletal muscle
- know what the term myocyte is
- know that skeletal muscle cells are as long as the belly of the muscle
- know that the word striation means stripped or stripes
- be able to identify striations
- be able to identify skeletal muscle by its morphological characteristics
This packet is about the histology of skeletal muscle. This packet will show you the morphological characteristics of skeletal muscle tissue that you need to know in order to identify it under a microscope. You will also learn about the basic functions of skeletal muscle in here as well.
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Skeletal muscle
- skeletal muscle cells (myocytes) travel the entire length of the muscle belly, making them the longest of the three types of muscle
- skeletal myocytes are multinucleated
- they are striated in appearance, which means if you look at them you'll see alternating light and dark bands created by the different thick and thin proteins within them
- skeletal myocytes are tightly packed with some space in between them
- skeletal muscle is voluntary, we have conscious control over it
- skeletal muscle is use to pull on bones to create movements and facial expressions, used for breathing by pulling up and out on the ribs, for maintaining posture and for swallowing
Source: The mind of Aaron
This video goes over the histology of skeletal muscle with images
Source: Self made with images from Marieb and http://www.udel.edu/biology/Wags/histopage/colorpage/colorpage.htm
