From the outside of a muscle coming in, the first structure encountered would be:

• A. Perimysium
• B. Endomysium
• C. Epimysium
• D. Sarcolemma

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the hierarchical structure of a muscle. Muscles are composed of bundles of muscle fibers, and these fibers are surrounded by connective tissue layers. The connective tissue layers include the epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium.
2. Step 2: Learn the location and function of the epimysium. The epimysium is the outermost connective tissue layer that surrounds the entire muscle. It provides structural support and protection to the muscle.
3. Step 3: Compare the epimysium to the perimysium and endomysium. The perimysium surrounds bundles of muscle fibers called fascicles, while the endomysium surrounds individual muscle fibers. These layers are located deeper within the muscle compared to the epimysium.
4. Step 4: Recognize the sarcolemma as the plasma membrane of individual muscle fibers. It is located beneath the endomysium and is not a connective tissue layer.
5. Step 5: Based on the anatomical arrangement, the first structure encountered from the outside of a muscle is the epimysium, as it is the outermost layer.