Connective tissue components

1. Investments. Connective tissue not only
binds muscles and muscle cells together but also
assists in the generation of force and movement
during contraction.
a. Epimysium is the connective tissue
sheath that surrounds an entire muscle.
b. Perimysium is the connective tissue
septum that surrounds groups (fascicles) of muscle
cells. These septa are inward extensions of the
epimysium.
c. Endomysium is the connective tissue
framework, composed mainly of reticular fibers, that
surrounds and supports individual muscle cells.
2. Myotendinous junctions. Connective
tissue fibers from the endomysium, perimysium, and
epimysium come together at the ends of muscles to
form fibrous CT called tendons. Tendons are defined as attaching muscles to bones or other
structures.

3. Microcirculation. Skeletal muscle is a
highly vascular tissue; capillaries are located in the
connective tissue surrounding all muscle cells.