Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Neuromuscular Junction01:19

The Neuromuscular Junction

9.5K
The nervous system consists of complex motor neuron circuits, including upper motor neurons originating from the cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons starting in the spinal cord, coordinating both voluntary and involuntary movements. Among these, somatic motor neurons activate skeletal muscles and are classified into alpha, beta, and gamma types. Alpha neurons are vital for voluntary movement coordination, while gamma neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, and the function of beta...
9.5K
Actin and Myosin in Muscle Contraction01:16

Actin and Myosin in Muscle Contraction

9.5K
Actin and myosin are contractile proteins that form the sarcomere found in skeletal muscle tissues for regulating muscle contraction. Actin, a globular contractile protein, interacts with myosin for muscle contraction. The skeletal tissue appears striped or striated under a microscope due to the repeated arrangement of contractile proteins actin and myosin along the length of myofibrils. Dark A bands and light I bands repeat along myofibrils, and the alignment of myofibrils in the cell causes...
9.5K
The Sarcomere01:08

The Sarcomere

7.8K
A sarcomere is a microscopic segment repeating in a myofibril. The sarcomere fundamentally consists of two main myofilaments: thick filaments called myosin and thin filaments called actin. These filaments interact by sliding past each other in response to stimulus. In addition to myosin and actin, several other proteins, such as tropomyosin, troponin, titin, nebulin, myomesin, α-actinin, and dystrophin, play crucial roles in regulating, structuring, and functioning of the sarcomere.
Each...
7.8K
Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Skeletal Muscles01:20

Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Skeletal Muscles

8.0K
Excitation-contraction coupling is a series of events that occur between generating an action potential and initiating a muscle contraction. It occurs at the triad, a structure found in skeletal muscle fibers that comprise a T-tubule and terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum on each side. These triads are visible in longitudinally sectioned muscle fibers. They are typically located at the A-I junction — the junction between the A and I bands of the sarcomere.
When an action...
8.0K
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade01:29

Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade

3.0K
The site of chemical communication between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber is called the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The end of the motor neuron at the NMJ divides into a cluster of synaptic end bulbs. The cytoplasm of these bulbs consists of synaptic vesicles enclosing acetylcholine molecules, the principal neurotransmitter released at the NMJ. The region opposite the synaptic bulb that ends in the muscle fiber is called the motor end plate, which has acetylcholine receptors. Within the...
3.0K
Overview of Skeletal Muscle01:15

Overview of Skeletal Muscle

11.7K
Skeletal muscles are composed of a bundle of muscle fibers and are attached to bones through tendons. Each skeletal muscle fiber is a single muscle cell. The sarcolemma, the plasma membrane of a skeletal muscle cell, consists of a lipid bilayer and glycocalyx that supports muscle fibers. The sarcolemma extends into the muscle cells to form tubular structures called transverse or T-tubules. Each side of the T-tubules consists of a membrane-bound structure called the sarcoplasmic reticulum,...
11.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Research into resistance training response heterogeneity: a summary of the 2025 conference at the University of Jyväskylä.

Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)·2026
Same author

Nicotinamide and Pyridoxine Supplementation Enhances Muscle Stem Cell Activity and Muscle Regeneration in Humans: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of High Force Eccentric Contraction Recovery in Healthy Young Men.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2026
Same author

Prespecified analysis plans are not suitable for exploratory experimental physiology research.

Experimental physiology·2026
Same author

Heavy resistance exercise training in older men: A responder and inter-individual variability analysis.

PloS one·2026
Same author

Capillary differences with age and muscle fiber type are attenuated by accounting for fiber shape.

The FEBS journal·2026
Same author

Spatially distinct ECM-producing fibroblasts and myonuclei orchestrate early adaptation to mechanical loading in the human muscle-tendon unit.

American journal of physiology. Cell physiology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2025

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions
08:41

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions

Published on: August 14, 2021

8.5K

The Myotendinous Junction-Form and Function.

Abigail L Mackey1,2

  • 1Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, 2400 Copenhagen, Denmark abigailmac@sund.ku.dk.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|August 12, 2024
PubMed
Summary

The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is a specialized muscle-tendon interface crucial for force transmission. Despite its unique structure, the MTJ is prone to injury and poor healing, necessitating further research into its plasticity and repair mechanisms.

More Related Videos

Generation of Human Motor Units with Functional Neuromuscular Junctions in Microfluidic Devices
10:48

Generation of Human Motor Units with Functional Neuromuscular Junctions in Microfluidic Devices

Published on: September 7, 2021

4.7K
Dissection of the Transversus Abdominis Muscle for Whole-mount Neuromuscular Junction Analysis
06:12

Dissection of the Transversus Abdominis Muscle for Whole-mount Neuromuscular Junction Analysis

Published on: January 11, 2014

11.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2025

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions
08:41

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions

Published on: August 14, 2021

8.5K
Generation of Human Motor Units with Functional Neuromuscular Junctions in Microfluidic Devices
10:48

Generation of Human Motor Units with Functional Neuromuscular Junctions in Microfluidic Devices

Published on: September 7, 2021

4.7K
Dissection of the Transversus Abdominis Muscle for Whole-mount Neuromuscular Junction Analysis
06:12

Dissection of the Transversus Abdominis Muscle for Whole-mount Neuromuscular Junction Analysis

Published on: January 11, 2014

11.6K

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanical Engineering
  • Cell Biology
  • Tissue Engineering

Background:

  • The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is a critical interface connecting muscle fibers to tendons, essential for force transmission to bone.
  • The MTJ exhibits specialized molecular and morphological features, with distinct cellular populations supporting its maintenance.
  • Despite its specialization, the MTJ is vulnerable to strain injuries and often exhibits impaired healing, posing a significant clinical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the key structural and molecular characteristics of the myotendinous junction (MTJ).
  • To discuss the adaptive responses of the MTJ to mechanical loading, aging, and injury.
  • To identify and highlight critical unanswered questions regarding MTJ biology and its clinical implications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing current knowledge on MTJ structure and function.
  • Analysis of studies investigating MTJ adaptation to mechanical stimuli, aging, and injury.
  • Identification of knowledge gaps and future research directions in MTJ science.

Main Results:

  • The MTJ possesses unique cellular and molecular specializations for force transmission and tissue integration.
  • MTJ structure and function are dynamic, adapting to mechanical loading, aging processes, and injury.
  • Significant gaps exist in understanding MTJ plasticity, healing, and the factors contributing to its susceptibility to injury.

Conclusions:

  • The myotendinous junction (MTJ) is a complex and dynamic interface with unique adaptations for force transmission.
  • Understanding MTJ adaptation to mechanical loading, aging, and injury is crucial for addressing clinical challenges.
  • Further research is imperative to unravel the complexities of MTJ biology, plasticity, and healing to improve patient outcomes.