What histologic features characterize skeletal muscle tissue?

What histologic features characterize skeletal muscle tissue?

• A. Long multinucleated fibers with peripheral nuclei and visible cross-striations (sarcomeres).
• B. Short, multinucleated fibers with central nuclei.
• C. Branched fibers with intercalated discs.
• D. Fibers with no striations and a single central nucleus.

Answer: (A)

Skeletal muscle tissue is defined by long, cylindrical fibers that are multinucleated, with nuclei located just beneath the sarcolemma (peripheral nuclei). The fibers show clear cross-striations due to the organized arrangement of sarcomeres, the repeating contractile units made of actin and myosin. This combination—very long fibers formed by fusion (multinucleated) and peripheral nuclei along with visible striations—distinguishes skeletal muscle from other muscle types: cardiac muscle has branched fibers with intercalated discs, and smooth muscle lacks striations and has a single central nucleus.

Skeletal muscle tissue is defined by long, cylindrical fibers that are multinucleated, with nuclei located just beneath the sarcolemma (peripheral nuclei). The fibers show clear cross-striations due to the organized arrangement of sarcomeres, the repeating contractile units made of actin and myosin. This combination—very long fibers formed by fusion (multinucleated) and peripheral nuclei along with visible striations—distinguishes skeletal muscle from other muscle types: cardiac muscle has branched fibers with intercalated discs, and smooth muscle lacks striations and has a single central nucleus.