Skeletal muscle is well-organized
body tissue, composed in a complex array of smaller
and smaller structures. Each skeletal muscle
is composed of many units called muscle fascicles.
The fascicles are bound together by a type of
connective tissue called fascia.
Fascicles are composed of smaller organizational
units called muscle fibers.
Smaller strands called myofibrils organize muscle
fibers. The myofibrils move as skeletal muscle
contracts. It is the interaction of the myofibrils
as they slide and pull along side each other
that gives skeletal muscle its functional ability
to do work and move things.
Putting it all back together, myofibrils compose
muscle fibers, muscle fibers make-up muscle fascicles,
and muscle fascicles are bound together by fascia
to compose skeletal muscle.
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