Which structure provides structural support to a skeletal muscle?

The epimysium is the correct answer because it is a layer of dense connective tissue that encases the entire skeletal muscle, providing structural support and protection. This outer layer is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the muscle as it responds to various forces during contraction and movement. The epimysium also helps anchor the muscle to surrounding tissues and connects to tendons, which in turn attach to bones.

In contrast, the other choices serve different functions. The sarcolemma is the cell membrane of the muscle fibers that aids in the transmission of action potentials necessary for muscle contraction, but it does not provide structural support to the whole muscle. The sarcoplasm is the cytoplasm of muscle cells, which contains the organelles and myofibrils but lacks a structural role in supporting the muscle as a whole. Lastly, myofibrils are the contractile elements within muscle fibers, responsible for the actual contraction mechanism but again do not contribute to the structural integrity of the entire muscle. Thus, the epimysium is essential for ensuring that skeletal muscle maintains its structure and function.