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A Complex Muscle Fiber Network in the Cricothyroid Muscle: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study
Author(s) -
Hyodo Masamitsu,
Taguchi Aki,
Yamagata Takahiko,
Desaki Junzo
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/mlg.0b013e3180303bb1
Subject(s) - muscle fibre , anatomy , scanning electron microscope , fiber , biophysics , materials science , chemistry , biomedical engineering , biology , medicine , composite material , skeletal muscle
Objectives : To examine the three‐dimensional ultrastructure of cricothyroid (CT) muscle fibers to elucidate their morphologic characteristics with regard to the specific functions of the muscle. Study Design : An anatomic animal study. Methods : The CT muscles of five adult rats were processed using the HCl‐hydrolysis method to remove the peri‐ and intramuscular connective tissue components. The fine muscle fiber arrangements were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Results : Complex muscle fiber interconnections (myomyous junctions) were identified in the muscles. Myomyous junctions were characterized by the connection of many villous processes that were 1 to 2 μm in diameter and 2 to 4 μm in length with a serrated appearance at the ends of a lateral branch or a bifurcating trunk of the muscle fibers. Conclusions : Myomyous junctions form a complex muscle fiber network, which is thought to synchronize the activity of the CT muscle fibers. This is the first three‐dimensional demonstration of the muscle fiber network in the CT muscle; this network may play a major role in the functional specificity of the CT muscle.