Histology of Muscles

Microscopic Examination of Muscle Tissue

Muscles play a crucial role in human anatomy, enabling movement, posture, and essential bodily functions. Their histology reveals intricate structures at the microscopic level.

Types of Muscle Tissue

• Skeletal Muscle: Striated, voluntary muscle responsible for movement.
• Cardiac Muscle: Striated, involuntary muscle found in the heart.
• Smooth Muscle: Non-striated, involuntary muscle in organs like the intestines and blood vessels.

Structure and Composition

Each muscle type consists of specialized cells:

• Muscle Fibers: Long, cylindrical cells containing myofibrils.
• Myofibrils: Structures composed of actin and myosin filaments enabling contraction.
• Sarcomere: The fundamental unit of muscle contraction.

Microscopic Examination

Using histological techniques, muscle tissue is stained to reveal cellular details under the microscope:

• Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) Staining: Highlights nuclei and muscle fibers.
• Immunohistochemistry: Identifies specific proteins within muscle cells.