Question

The bundles of muscle fibers are held together in a single muscle by covering of connective tissue sheath is known as ____________.

• A. Epimysium
• B. Perimysium
• C. Ligaments
• D. Epidermis

Hint:

Remember the hierarchy of muscle connective tissue from outside to inside:
- Epimysium \(\rightarrow\) Surrounds the entire single muscle.
- Perimysium \(\rightarrow\) Surrounds each bundle (fascicle) of fibers.
- Endomysium \(\rightarrow\) Surrounds each individual muscle fiber.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Skeletal muscle has a highly organized structure composed of muscle fibers arranged in bundles (fascicles).
These bundles are surrounded and supported by several distinct layers of connective tissue sheaths.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us review the three primary layers of connective tissue sheaths in skeletal muscle:
- Endomysium: A fine sheath of connective tissue composed of reticular fibers that surrounds each individual muscle fiber (muscle cell).
- Perimysium: A progressive sheath of connective tissue that groups individual muscle fibers into distinct bundles called fascicles.
- Epimysium: A dense, outer sheath of fibrous connective tissue that surrounds the entire skeletal muscle.
It holds all the individual fascicles (bundles of muscle fibers) together to form a single, functional muscle organ.
The epimysium is continuous with the fascia and connects directly to tendons, which anchor the muscle to bones.
- Ligaments (C): Strong bands of fibrous connective tissue that connect bone to bone, not sheaths within muscles.
- Epidermis (D): The outermost layer of skin.
Because the epimysium is the outer sheath that holds all the fiber bundles together within a single muscle, it is the correct answer.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The connective tissue sheath that holds the bundles of muscle fibers together in a single muscle is the epimysium.