Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun One of the segments into which a fibril of striated muscle is divided.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A segment of a muscular fibril inclosed between two Krause's membranes.
  • noun One of the segments or pieces of a sarcostyle.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun anatomy The contractile unit of the myofibril of a striated muscle.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun one of the segments into which a myofibril is divided

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From sarco- (“flesh”) + -mere (“component”), from Ancient Greek σάρξ (sárx) and μέρος (méros).

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Examples

  • The sarcomere is the primary functional unit of cardiac muscle that is responsible for contraction and force generation.

    PLoS ONE Alerts: New Articles Jennifer Davis et al. 2010

  • The sarcomere is the primary functional unit of cardiac muscle that is responsible for contraction and force generation.

    PLoS ONE Alerts: New Articles Jennifer Davis et al. 2010

  • The sarcomere is situated between two membranes of Krause and consists of (1) a central dark part, which forms a portion of the dark band of the whole fiber, and is named a sarcous element.

    IV. Myology. 2. Development of the Muscles 1918

  • When the muscular fiber is contracted the clear part of the muscular substance is driven into these channels or tubes, and is therefore hidden from sight, but at the same time it swells up the sarcous element and widens and shortens the sarcomere.

    IV. Myology. 2. Development of the Muscles 1918

  • The sarcous element does not lie free in the sarcomere, for when the sarcostyle is stretched, so as to render the clear portion visible, very fine lines, which are probably septa, may be seen running through it from the sarcous element to the membrane of Krause.

    IV. Myology. 2. Development of the Muscles 1918

  • A sarcostyle may be said to be made up of successive portions, each of which is termed a sarcomere.

    IV. Myology. 2. Development of the Muscles 1918

  • When, on the other hand, the fiber is extended, this clear substance is driven out of the tubes and collects between the sarcous element and the membrane of Krause, and gives the appearance of the light part between these two structures; by this means it elongates and narrows the sarcomere.

    IV. Myology. 2. Development of the Muscles 1918

  • In this way the contraction is brought about: under stimulation the protoplasmic material (the clear substance of the sarcomere) recedes into the sarcous element, causing the sarcomere to widen out and shorten.

    IV. Myology. 2. Development of the Muscles 1918

  • In muscle there is the same thing, viz., a framework of spongioplasm staining with hematoxylin—the substance of the sarcous element—and this encloses a clear hyaloplasm, the clear substance of the sarcomere, which resists staining with this reagent.

    IV. Myology. 2. Development of the Muscles 1918

  • Now, researchers have discovered a protein that is the mainstay of the smallest muscular unit, the sarcomere, which contributes to a healthy heart.

    Gaea Times (by Simple Thoughts) Breaking News and incisive views 24/7 Ians 2010

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