Skeletal Muscle is formed from thousands of fibers with a loose connective tissue covering called endomysium.  The fibers are then organized into bundles or fascicles which are wrapped in perimysium (Connective tissue).  Groups of fasciles are then wrapped in a dense connective tissue called epimysium.  These grouped fascicles then form the muscle. 

The first slide below is a longitudinal section of a group of muscle fibers.   Notice the striations (S) running perpendicular to the long axis of the fiber.  These striations, a defining characteristic of skeletal muscle,  contain the contractile elements of the muscle.  Notice the alternating dark and light bands.  The dark bands represent the A bands which contain both contractile filaments: actin and myosin.  The light bands represent the I bands which contain only actin.  You can also see a few fibers of the perimysium,(P) the connective tissue covering of the group of fibers.  In the second slide, also take note of the multiple long slender nuclei (N)located on the outer edge of each fiber. To view another longitudinal section with a different stain click here. The next slide is a tranverse section of skeletal muscle.

Slide 1

Slide 2