Skeletal muscle structure and function

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the basic organization of skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is responsible for all voluntary movement, and its unique organization is optimized for this function. The sarcomere is the unit of muscle contraction and the sarcomere is linked to the plasma membrane through the Z band. Skeletal muscle is also unique in that mature myofibers are a multinucleate syncytium. Efficient delivery of calcium is necessary for coordinated muscle contraction. Neuronal control is also a key contributor to muscle function. Mutations in the genes encoding many structural proteins of muscle lead to muscle weakness and degeneration. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.