Endomysium

Endomysium

Structure of a skeletal muscle. (Endomysium labeled at bottom center.)
Identifiers
Code TH H3.03.00.0.00004
Dorlands
/Elsevier		 e_08/12332479

Anatomical terminology

The endomysium, meaning within the muscle, is a wispy layer of areolar connective tissue that ensheaths each individual myocyte (muscle fiber, or muscle cell). It also contains capillaries and nerves. It overlies the muscle fiber's cell membrane: the sarcolemma. Endomysium is the deepest and smallest component of connective tissue.

The term cardiac skeleton is sometimes considered synonymous with endomysium in the heart, but cardiac skeleton also refers to the combination of the endomysium and perimysium.

This thin layer provides the correct chemical environment for the exchange of calcium, sodium, and potassium. The exchange of these ions leads to the excitation of the muscle fiber.

Endomysium combines with perimysium and epimysium to create the collagen fibers of tendons, providing the tissue connection between muscles and bones by indirect attachment.[1]

The elastic fiber of collagen is the major protein that composes connective tissues like endomysium. Endomysium has been shown to contain mainly type I and type III collagen components, and type IV and type V in very minor amounts.[2]

Anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) are present in celiac disease. They do not cause any direct symptoms to muscles, but detection of EMA is useful in the diagnosis of the disease.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Saladin, K. S. (2012). Anatomy and Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
  2. ↑ Light, N; Champion, A. E. (1984). "Characterization of muscle epimysium, perimysium and endomysium collagens" (PDF). The Biochemical Journal 219 (3): 1017–26. doi:10.1042/bj2191017. PMC 1153576. PMID 6743238.
  3. ↑ Pruessner, H. T. (1998). "Detecting celiac disease in your patients". American family physician 57 (5): 1023–34, 1039–41. PMID 9518950.

External links


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