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Glite Dictionary
perimysium

perimysium

9.9
A thin layer of tissue that surrounds a bundle of muscle fibers
  • noun
  • /ˌpɛrɪˈmɪziəm/
  • Specialized
: perimisio
  • The perimysium provides essential support and protection to the muscle fibers within each fascicle.

Examples

  • As dissection continues, the perimysium is peeled off the muscle bundles until the perforator cleavage line is identified on the muscle.

    Academic text (2005)

  • During the surgery, the surgeon carefully examined the perimysium to avoid damaging the underlying muscle fibers.

  • Athletes benefit from knowing how the perimysium contributes to the overall structure and function of their muscles.

Surface Forms

perimysium singular
perimysia plural

Morphology

perimysium = peri + mys + ium

The term is formed from specialised scientific combining forms (peri- + mys- + -ium) that are not productive common English morphemes, so an average B1 learner cannot reliably derive the meaning from its parts.

Etymology

Perimysium comes from Greek parts peri- meaning 'around' and mys meaning 'muscle', so think of the 'perimeter' around a bundle of muscle fibers. That's why the perimysium is the thin sheath of tissue that wraps around and supports groups of muscle fibers.