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Glite Dictionary
sarcolemma

sarcolemma

1 9.9
Thin soft covering around a muscle cell that helps carry nerve signals
  • noun
  • /ˌsɑr.kəˈlɛm.ə/
  • Specialized
: sarcolema
  • In skeletal muscle, the sarcolemma is essential for transmitting signals that trigger contraction.

Examples

  • Therefore, increased intramuscular HMB concentrations may provide readily available substrate for the synthesis of cholesterol needed to form and stabilize the sarcolemma 31, 36.

    Blog text (23)

  • When a large amount of muscle is infarcted, the sarcolemma loses its functional integrity, creating intracellular edema.

    Academic text (2004)

  • This hypothesis suggests that HMB may provide readily available substrate for the synthesis of cholesterol needed to form and stabilize the sarcolemma.

    Blog text (23)

  • HMB's mechanisms of action are generally considered to operate through its capacity to stabilize the sarcolemma and/or attenuate proteolytic pathways.

    Blog text (23)

  • The sarcolemma surrounds each muscle fiber, acting as a protective and flexible barrier.

  • Disruption of the sarcolemma can impair muscle function and lead to weakness.

Surface Forms

sarcolemma singular
sarcolemmas plural

Morphology

sarcolemma = lemma (opaque) = sarco + lemma + sarco

The combining form 'sarco-' and the noun 'lemma' are specialized medical/technical elements not familiar to average learners, so the meaning 'muscle sheath/membrane' is not readily derivable.

Etymology

Sarcolemma comes from the Greek parts sarco- 'flesh' and -lemma 'covering'. So a sarcolemma is like a thin 'covering' for the muscle 'flesh', which explains why it is the membrane that surrounds a muscle fiber.