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M line
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The M line, from German 'Mittelscheibe' meaning 'middle disc', is the fine vertical line in the center of the sarcomere, which links myosin (thick) filaments to each other in a lattice-like arrangement. The protein myomesin anchors the myosin filaments to the M line. A titin molecule also spans between the Z-disc to the M-line, which contains elastic properties and provides muscle fibers passive resistance to stretching.
During a muscle contraction, the myosin heads swing towards the M line and slide the attached actin filament towards it to shorten the length of the sarcomere.
| Terminology |
English: M line Latin: Linea M |
| Definition | Vertical line in the center of the sarcomere to which myosin filaments are anchored |
| Function | Anchor point for myosin filaments, maintains structural integrity of the sarcomere during muscle contractio |
Learn more about skeletal muscle structure with this study unit (and article):
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