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Anatomy
Basics Upper limb Lower limb Spine and back Thorax Abdomen Pelvis and perineum Head and neck Neuroanatomy Cross sections Radiological anatomy
Histology
Types of tissues
ArticlesHistologyTypes of tissuesMuscle tissueMyofibril
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ArticlesHistologyTypes of tissuesMuscle tissueMyofibril

Myofibril

Author: Roberto Grujičić, MD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Skeletal muscle tissue [12:25]
This type of tissue is found in skeletal muscles and is responsible for the voluntary movements of bones.
Myofibril
Myofibrilla
1/2
Synonyms: Muscle fibril

The myofibrils are bundles of interconnected protein filaments of striated muscles. The filaments (myofilaments) included in the myofibrils are mainly thick filaments (myosin), and thin filaments (actin). The contractile functional unit of the myofibril is called the sarcomere. 

The myofibrils have a characteristic banding pattern detected under a light microscope referred to as striations. 

The main function of the myofibrils is to produce muscle contraction and relaxation.

Terminology English: Myofibrils
Latin: Myofibrilla
Definition Bundles of interconnected protein filaments of striated muscles
Function Muscle contraction and relaxation

Learn everything about the structure of skeletal muscles with the following study unit: 

Skeletal muscle Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Mescher, A. L., Mescher, A. L., & Junqueira, L. C. U. (2016). Junqueira's basic histology: Text and atlas (Fourteenth edition.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell WMA. Gray’s anatomy for students. 4th ed. 2020.

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