myotubes
Myotubes are elongated, multinucleated cells that form during the development of skeletal muscle. They arise from the fusion of precursor cells called myoblasts, which are specialized for muscle formation. Myotubes play a crucial role in muscle growth and repair, as they eventually mature into functional muscle fibers.
These structures are essential for muscle contraction and overall muscle function. Myotubes contain contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin, which enable them to generate force. Understanding myotubes is important in fields like muscle biology and regenerative medicine, where researchers explore ways to enhance muscle repair and growth.