What is the term for the fibrous elastic tissue surrounding a muscle?

The correct term for the fibrous elastic tissue surrounding a muscle is epimysium. The epimysium is a dense layer of connective tissue that encases the entire muscle, providing structural support and protection while allowing it to contract efficiently. This outer layer also serves as a conduit for nerves and blood vessels that supply the muscle, facilitating its function during physical activity.

The other terms mentioned refer to different layers that surround muscle fibers. The perimysium surrounds bundles of muscle fibers called fascicles, while the endomysium is the thin connective tissue that surrounds each individual muscle fiber. The sarcomere is actually the basic functional unit of a muscle fiber, responsible for muscle contraction, rather than a connective tissue structure. Each of these layers plays a unique role in the overall function and organization of muscles, but it is the epimysium that is specifically known for surrounding the entire muscle.