b. FCT Fibers.
(1) Endomysium. The endomysium is a meshwork of FCT that surrounds
each striated muscle fiber individually.
(2) Perimysium. A group of these striated muscle fibers is bound together in
a bundle (fascicle) by an FCT envelope known as the perimysium.
(3) Epimysium. The entire muscle is bound within an FCT sheath called the
epimysium.
5-9. EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON FCT FIBERS
When the FCT fibers are relatively cold, they are stiffer and more liable to break.
As the FCT fibers become warmer, they also become more elastic. Thus, warm-up
exercises are always strongly suggested before engaging in vigorous activity.
5-10. GENERAL STRUCTURE OF A SKELETAL MUSCLE
A skeletal muscle generally has two major subdivisions.
a. Fleshy Belly. The main portion is the fleshy belly, where muscle tissue is
located.
b. FCT Attachments. At the ends of the belly, the FCT continue and form some
sort of attachment to the bones.
(1) In the case of many skeletal muscles, this attachment is a discrete cord of
dense FCT known as a tendon.
(2) If the tendon is broad and flat rather than cord-like, we call it an
aponeurosis.
(3) Often, we cannot see the tendon-like structure of attachment. Rather, the
fleshy belly seems to be attached directly to the surface of the bone. Such an
attachment is called a fleshy attachment. However, in reality, the FCT still forms the
actual attachment to the bone.
(4) Muscle soreness is often the result of the tearing of the FCT attachment
to a bone.
5-11. TYPES OF SKELETAL MUSCLES ACCORDING TO FIBER PATTERN
Skeletal muscles are categorized according to the manner in which the muscle
fibers are oriented to the tendons of attachment.
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