Endomysium
Endomysium: A thin layer of areolar (loose) connective tissue that surrounds each muscle cell (myocyte).
- The etymology of Endomysium: "Endo-" refers to "within," "-mys-" refers to muscle, and "-ium" is a word-forming element. Endomysium translates to "within muscle."
Additional Laysers of Muscle Connective Tissue
For more information on the epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium (including a video lecture), check out:
The function of the Endomysium:
The endomysium is a thin layer of areolar connective tissue that surrounds each muscle fiber (muscle cell) within a muscle. Its primary functions include:
- Structural Support: It provides a delicate framework that supports each muscle fiber (each muscle cell), helping to maintain their alignment with other muscle fibers with in a fascicle (bundle of muscle fibers)
- Nutrient and Waste Exchange: Areolar connective tissue contains blood vessels and capillaries that supply nutrients to and remove waste from cells.
- Electrical Insulation: The endomysium electrically isolates each muscle fiber, reducing the risk that depolarization is transmitted to other muscle fibers.
- Transfer Force: The endomysium helps transfer the force generated by individual muscle fibers to additional connective tissue laters, which invest in tendons, fascial sheaths, and bone.