3. Application of imaging to characterize muscles and meat products

3.1 Muscle variability

Although the general organization of skeletal muscles is similar from one species to another, variations are observed according to species, anatomical position and muscle function.

Histology provides information on the characteristics of cells and connective tissue. Ham is composed of several muscles with different compositions and characteristics. Comparison of qualitative histological data from four ham muscles reveals differences in cell size, connective tissue content, adipocytes and the proportion of each fiber type (figures 7 and