What Are Some Examples of Fiber Size Variability in Different Tissues?
Different tissues exhibit characteristic patterns of fiber size variability:
Skeletal Muscle: Muscle fibers can vary greatly in size, depending on the type of muscle (e.g., fast-twitch vs. slow-twitch fibers), level of physical activity, and presence of muscle diseases. Cardiac Muscle: Cardiac muscle fibers generally have a more uniform size but can show variability in conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Connective Tissue: Collagen fibers in tendons are typically larger and more aligned than those in loose connective tissue, reflecting their function in resisting tensile forces.
