Which description best identifies a transverse section of skeletal muscle?

Which description best identifies a transverse section of skeletal muscle?

• A. Transverse section of skeletal muscle
• B. Longitudinal section of skeletal muscle
• C. Transverse section of skeletal muscle tissue
• D. Longitudinal section of skeletal muscle

Answer: (A)

A transverse (cross) section is a cut made perpendicular to the length of the muscle, so you see the muscle fibers cut across their diameters. In skeletal muscle this results in multiple round or polygonal profiles of individual fibers, often with nuclei pushed to the periphery and with the surrounding connective tissue visible. This view contrasts with a longitudinal section, which runs along the length of the fibers and shows elongated fibers and striations. The concise phrase “Transverse section of skeletal muscle” is the clearest, standard way to describe this cross-sectional view.

A transverse (cross) section is a cut made perpendicular to the length of the muscle, so you see the muscle fibers cut across their diameters. In skeletal muscle this results in multiple round or polygonal profiles of individual fibers, often with nuclei pushed to the periphery and with the surrounding connective tissue visible. This view contrasts with a longitudinal section, which runs along the length of the fibers and shows elongated fibers and striations. The concise phrase “Transverse section of skeletal muscle” is the clearest, standard way to describe this cross-sectional view.