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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 tissueSarcoplasm
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ArticlesHistologyTypes of tissuesMuscle tissueSarcoplasm

Sarcoplasm

Author: Edwin Ocran, MBChB, MSc • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: April 01, 2024
Reading time: 2 minutes

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.
Sarcoplasm
Sarcoplasma
1/2
Synonyms: none

The term sarcoplasm refers to the cytoplasm of a muscle cell and is where metabolic processes of the cell take place. It is surrounded by a plasma membrane called the sarcolemma, which regulates the movement of various materials into or out of the muscle cell.

The sarcoplasm is unique from the cytoplasm of other cells beacuse it contains large stores of glycogen, and the oxygen binding protein myoglobin. Additionally, it contains several specialized organelles which play important roles in muscle contraction.

The dominant features of the sarcoplasm are myofibrils, which are contractile proteins that shorten during contraction, and a high density of mitochondria. Similar to the cytoplasm of other cells, it bears several additional organelles inculding ribosomes, Golgi apparatus and specialized endoplasmic reticulum called sarcoplasmic reticulum, which stores and releases calcium ions (Ca2+) crucial for muscle contraction.

Terminology English: Sarcoplasm

Latin: Sarcoplasma
Definition
 Cytoplasm of muscle cell or fiber
Function Site of metabolic processes of muscle cells
Supports muscle contracion

Learn more about the sarcoplasm in the following study units:

Smooth muscle Explore 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., & Junqueira, L. C. (2013). Junqueira's basic histology: Text & atlas. McGraw-Hill Medical.
  • McKinley, M. & Loughlin, V. (2012). Human anatomy. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  • Ross, M. H., & Pawlina, W. (2011). Histology : a text and atlas : with correlated cell and molecular biology (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Young, B., O'Dowd, G., & Woodford, P. (2014). Wheater's functional histology: A text and colour atlas. Churchill Livingston/Elsevier.

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