What structure encloses the entire muscle?

The epimysium is the connective tissue layer that encases the entire muscle. It serves as a protective sheath, maintaining the muscle's structural integrity while allowing it to function effectively within the surrounding tissues. This outermost layer plays a critical role in binding together individual muscle fibers and fascicles (groups of muscle fibers), ensuring that they work collectively during contraction and movement.

Additionally, the epimysium is often continuous with the tendons that attach muscles to bones, facilitating the transmission of force generated by muscle contractions to the skeletal system. This structural relationship is essential for the functionality of muscular movement and contributes to the overall biomechanics of the body. The significance of the epimysium in providing not only structure but also a transition point to the tendon makes it a crucial component of muscle anatomy.