The connective tissue layer that encloses a muscle fascicle is called?

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

Answer: (D)

Muscle fibers are organized into bundles called fascicles, and each fascicle is wrapped by a connective tissue sheath. This specific layer around a fascicle is the perimysium, a sheath of dense irregular connective tissue that sits between the inner layer (endomysium) and the outer layer (epimysium) of the muscle. The perimysium groups several fibers into a fascicle and contains blood vessels and nerves that supply those fibers, aiding coordinated contraction and force transmission. Endomysium surrounds each individual muscle fiber, epimysium wraps the entire muscle, and fascia refers to broader outside sheets that may cover groups of muscles. So the layer enclosing a muscle fascicle is the perimysium.