tvärstrimmigt

Tvärstrimmigt is a Swedish term that translates to "transversely striated" or "cross-striated" in English. It is most commonly used in a biological context, particularly when describing muscle tissue. In histology, twärstrimmigt muscle refers to skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle, which exhibit a characteristic striped appearance under a microscope due to the organized arrangement of contractile proteins. This striation is caused by the alternating light and dark bands formed by the sarcomeres, the fundamental contractile units of muscle.

The term "tvärstrimmigt" distinguishes these muscle types from smooth muscle, which lacks this organized, striated pattern and appears uniform in appearance. Skeletal muscle is responsible for voluntary movements, while cardiac muscle forms the walls of the heart and pumps blood involuntarily. The cross-striations are essential for the efficient and coordinated contraction of these muscle tissues. In broader terms, "tvärstrimmigt" can also be used to describe any object or pattern that shows distinct transverse lines or bands, though its primary association remains with muscle biology.