ABSTRACT. The distribution and arrangement of microtubules (MTs) in skeletal muscle fibers of the rat and mousediaphragm were examined by thin-section electron microscopy. In the central portion of muscle fibers, most MTsran longitudinally between myofibrils and beneath the sarcolemma, and some MTsran transversely predominantly at the level of the I band, especially of the A-I junction, thus forming a lattice-like arrangement. At the fiber periphery, MTswere aggregated in the perinuclear region, from which they radiated to take a longitudinal course beneath the sarcolemma and to run in a transverse direction at the I-band level. In the end portion of muscle fibers, MTswere abundant and ran longitudinally into sarcoplasmic processes. MTswere often found to be spatially associated with membranousorgandies. Quantitative analyses indicated that the longitudinally running MTswere remarkably more numerous in the peripheral zone of muscle fibers than in the deeper zones. The density of MTsin the central portion was almost the same in both red and white muscle fibers. The density was significantly higher at the fiber ends, though it varied considerably among different fibers. These results are discussed with special reference to the possible involvement of MTsin intracellular transport as well as structural support.Microtubules (MTs) are one of the major components of the cytoskeleton and are believed to primarily provide structural supports in various types of cells. Thus MTs are involved not only in the maintenance of cell shape but also in various cellular movements such as ciliary movement, cell division, and intracellular transport (for reviews see 3, 17, 18, 20).Skeletal muscle fibers are highly specialized cells.Most of the cytoplasm (sarcoplasm) is occupied by the contractile material called cross-striated myofibrils. Membranousorganelles such as the sarcoplasmic reticulum and T-system are also regularly arranged in register around and between the myofibrils. Skeletal muscle fibers contain numerous nuclei, which are usually located at the fiber periphery. It is interesting to ask how the structural integrity, contractile activity, and metabolism are maintained in such multinucleate, giant cells.Of particular interest is the process of intracellular transport, including the nucleus-sarcoplasm interaction, with special reference to the possible functions of MTs. MTsare remarkably abundant in developing muscle cells (1,5,32,33). Thus much attention has been paid to the role of MTsin myogenesis. In definitive myo-* To whomcorrespondance should be addressed. !) Present address: