Axial muscle-fibre orientations in larval zebrafish.

ABSTRACT: Most teleost fish propel themselves with lateral body waves powered by their axial muscles. These muscles also power suction feeding through rapid expansion of the mouth cavity. They consist of muscle segments (myomeres), separated by connective tissue sheets (myosepts). In adult teleosts, the fast axial muscle fibres follow pseudo-helical trajectories, which are thought to distribute strain (relative fibre length change) approximately evenly across transverse sections during swimming, thereby optimizing power generation. To achieve strain equalization, a significant angle to the longitudinal axis on the frontal plane (azimuth) is necessary near the medial plane, increasing strain. Additionally, a deviation from longitudinal orientation on the sagittal plane (elevation) is required lateral

SUBMITTER: van Meer NMME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11911140 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature