Light micrograph of a cross-section through skeletal muscle fibres. This is also known as striated muscle due to the regular arrangement of its contractile proteins which form a pattern of alternating light and dark bands (or striations) across the fibre. The cell nuclei (purple) are located at the periphery of the fibres and each fibre is surrounded by connective tissue (endomysium, white). This contains the blood capillary network and the nerves which carry signals from the brain to the muscle. Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain. Magnification: x100 at 24x36 mm size.