In the structure of a skeletal muscle, what is a fascicle?

• A. The connective tissue sheath that surrounds the entire muscle (epimysium)
• B. A bundle of muscle fibers (muscle cells) surrounded by perimysium
• C. A bundle of myofibrils within one muscle fiber
• D. A single muscle fiber surrounded by endomysium

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the hierarchical structure of skeletal muscle, which is organized from the whole muscle down to the smallest contractile units.
2. Recognize that the entire muscle is surrounded by the epimysium, a connective tissue sheath.
3. Identify that within the muscle, there are bundles called fascicles, which are groups of muscle fibers (muscle cells) bundled together.
4. Know that each fascicle is surrounded by its own connective tissue sheath called the perimysium.
5. Differentiate fascicles from other structures: individual muscle fibers are surrounded by endomysium, and myofibrils are the smaller contractile elements inside each muscle fiber.