The fascicles are short and attach obliquely to a central tendon that runs the length of a muscle.
This type of muscle arrangement is called pennate. Pennate muscles maximize the number of muscle fibers in a given space, allowing for greater force production. Examples of pennate muscles include the deltoid and gastrocnemius.
Multipennate.
The rectus femoris muscle has a parallel fascicle arrangement, meaning its muscle fibers run parallel to the long axis of the muscle. This arrangement allows for strong contraction forces and efficient movement.
The extensor digitorum longus muscle has a parallel fascicle arrangement where muscle fibers run parallel to the long axis of the muscle. This arrangement allows the muscle to generate a strong pulling force to extend the toes.
The muscle named for the arrangement of its fascicles is the "pennate" muscle. In pennate muscles, the fascicles are arranged obliquely to the tendon, resembling a feather's structure. This arrangement allows for greater force production due to the increased number of muscle fibers that can fit into a given area, making pennate muscles efficient for generating power. Examples include the deltoid and the rectus femoris.
The Pennate arrangement. The fascicles attach obliquely to the tendon.
A fascicle is a bundle of muscle fibers within a skeletal muscle. These fascicles are surrounded by connective tissue called perimysium. The arrangement of fascicles within a muscle contributes to its overall structure and function, allowing for coordinated movement and strength.
short fibers, arranged obliquely to their tendons
The other name for a fascicle is a "bundle." In anatomy, it often refers to a bundle of muscle fibers or nerve fibers. In botany, it can describe a cluster of flowers or leaves.
myofibril
The vastus medialis muscle exhibits a multipennate fascicle arrangement. This structure allows for a greater number of muscle fibers to be packed into a smaller space, which enhances its strength and power. The orientation of the fibers enables effective force generation, particularly during activities like knee extension. This arrangement is particularly important for stabilizing the patella and contributing to overall knee function.
Pennate MusclesIn a pennate muscle, the fascicles form a common angle with the tendon. Because the muscle cells pull at an angle, contracting pennate muscles do not move their tendons as far as parallel muscles do. But a pennate muscle contains more muscle fibers--and, as a result, produces more tension--than does a parallel muscle of the same size. (Tension production is proportional to the number of contracting sarcomeres; the more muscle fibers, the more myofibrils and sarcomeres.)