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fascia

 
Dictionary: fas·ci·a   (făsh'ē-ə) pronunciation
 
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n., pl. fas·ci·ae (făsh'ē-ē', fā'shē-ē).
  1. Anatomy. A sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue enveloping, separating, or binding together muscles, organs, and other soft structures of the body.
  2. A broad and distinct band of color.
  3. (also fā'shē-ə) Architecture. A flat horizontal band or member between moldings, especially in a classical entablature.
  4. (fā'shə) Chiefly British. The dashboard of a motor vehicle.

[Latin, band.]

fascial fas'ci·al adj.
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Food and Fitness: fascia
 
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Tough connective tissue which may be superficial or deep. Superficial fascia is fatty and lies under the skin. It forms a lining separating the skin from the deep fascia. Deep fascia usually ensheathes muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and organs; it contains dense elastic tissue to give it flexibility.

 
Dental Dictionary: fascia
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n

The fibrous connective tissue of the body that may be separated from other specifically organized fibrous structures such as the tendons, the aponeuroses, and the ligaments. Fascia generally covers and separates muscles and muscle groups.

 
Architecture and Landscaping: fascia
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pl. fasciae.

1. One of two or three bands on a Classical architrave, each projecting slightly beyond the one below, often separated by enriched mouldings.

2. Any band or belt with a plain vertical face, such as a fascia-board at eaves-level.

3. Deep board over a shop-front on which lettering is placed.

 
Sports Science and Medicine: fascia
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A tough, white fibrous connective tissue which may be superficial or deep. Superficial fascia is fatty and underlies the skin, forming a lining separating the skin from the deep fascia. Deep fascia ensheathes muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and organs, providing protection and support. It contains dense elastic tissue.

 
Columbia Encyclopedia: fascia
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fascia (făsh'ēə) , fibrous tissue network located between the skin and the underlying structure of muscle and bone. Fascia is composed of two layers, a superficial layer and a deep layer. Superficial fascia is attached to the skin and is composed of connective tissue containing varying quantities of fat. It is especially dense in the scalp, the back of the neck, and the palms of the hands, where it serves to anchor the skin firmly to underlying tissues. In other areas of the body it is loose and the skin may be moved freely back and forth. Deep fascia underlies the superficial layers, to which it is loosely joined by fibrous strands. It is thin but strong and densely packed, and serves to cover the muscles and to partition them into groups.

 
Veterinary Dictionary: fascia
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Pl. fasciae [L.] a sheet or band of fibrous tissue such as lies deep to the skin or invests muscles and various body organs.

  • f. adherens — one of the methods of attachment of actin filaments to the sarcolemma in cardiac muscle; a continuous zone of attachment.
  • aponeurotic f. — a dense, firm, fibrous membrane investing the trunk and limbs and giving off sheaths to the various muscles. Called also deep fascia.
  • f. cribrosa — the superficial fascia of the thigh covering the saphenous opening.
  • croup and thigh f. — extensive sheets between muscle masses giving appearance of distinct molding of muscles, especially when horses in hard training; gives extensive attachments to muscle fascicles and serves as an energy store.
  • crural f. — the investing fascia of the leg.
  • deep f. — aponeurotic fascia.
  • endothoracic f. — that beneath the serous lining of the thoracic cavity.
  • extrapleural f. — a prolongation of the endothoracic fascia sometimes found at the root of the neck, important as possibly modifying the auscultatory sounds at the apex of the lung.
  • iliac f. — covers the iliopsoas muscle below the wing of the ilium.
  • f. lata — the external investing fascia of the thigh. An implant of this fascia is used in operation to correct penile deviation in the bull and for reconstruction of a ruptured anterior (cranial) cruciate ligament in dogs.
  • leg f. — a colloquial, non-anatomic term for the extensive fascia, especially in horses, which converts the upper limb into a series of osteofascial compartments. Consists of a superficial layer continuous with the thigh fascia, a middle layer formed by extensive aponeuroses, e.g. tensor facia lata, biceps, semitendinosus, gracilis, sartorius muscles, and a deep layer between muscles and attaching them to the tibia.
  • orbital f. — three layers connecting muscles to bone, the eyeball and eyelids.
  • spermatic f. — dense fascia surrounding the spermatic cord and testes; internal to the tunica dartos; in layers corresponding to the layers of abdominal muscle; an internal layer adherent to the tunica vaginalis and an external layer adherent to the skin.
  • superficial f. — 1. a fascial sheet lying directly beneath the skin.
    • — 2. subcutaneous tissue.
  • thyrolaryngeal f. — the fascia covering the thyroid gland and attached to the cricoid cartilage.
  • transverse f. — that between the transversalis muscle and the peritoneum.
 
Wikipedia: Fascia
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Not to be confused with Fuchsia or Fascism.
For other uses, see Fascia (disambiguation).
Fascia
The rectus sheath and the thoracolumbar fascia provide strong fascial support between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the pelvis.
Fascia creates pathways in the body. The flexor tendons of the hand travel under the flexor retinaculum, the roof of the carpal tunnel.
Latin fascia
Gray's subject #104
Precursor mesenchyme
MeSH Fascia

Fascia (făsh'ē-ə), pl. fas·ci·ae (făsh'ē-ē), adj. fascial (făsh'ē-əl) (from latin: a band) is the soft tissue component of the connective tissue system that permeates the human body. It interpenetrates and surrounds muscles, bones, organs, nerves, blood vessels and other structures. Fascia is an uninterrupted, three-dimensional web of tissue that extends from head to toe, from front to back, from interior to exterior. It is responsible for maintaining structural integrity; for providing support and protection; and acts as a shock absorber. Fascia has an essential role in hemodynamic and biochemical processes, and provides the medium that allows for intercellular communication. Fascia functions as the body's second line of defense against pathogenic agents and infections after the skin[citation needed]. After injury, it is the fascia that creates an environment for tissue repair. [1]

Contents

Three layers of the fascia

  • Superficial fascia
is found in the subcutis in most regions of the body, blending with the reticular layer of the dermis. [2] It is present on the face, over the upper portion of the sternocleidomastoid, at the nape of the neck, and overlying the sternum. [3] It is comprised mainly of loose areolar connective tissue and adipose and is the layer that primarily determines the shape of a body. In addition to its subcutaneous presence, this type of fascia surrounds organs and glands, neurovascular bundles, and is found at many other locations where it fills otherwise unoccupied space. It serves as a storage medium of fat and water; as a passageway for lymph, nerve and blood vessels; and as a protective padding to cushion and insulate. [4]
is the dense fibrous connective tissue that interpenetrates and surrounds the muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels of the body. It provides connection and communication in the form of aponeuroses, ligaments, tendons, retinacula, joint capsules, and septa. The deep fasciae envelop all bone (periosteum and endosteum); cartilage (perichondrium), and blood vessels (tunica externa) and become specialized in muscles (epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium) and nerves (epineurium, perineurium, and endoneurium). The high density of collagen fibers is what gives the deep fascia its strength and integrity. The amount of elastin fiber determines how much extensibility and resilience it will have. [5]

The galea aponeurotica and the temporal fascia

The fascia of the diaphragm

The aponeurosis of the external abdominal oblique

The deep ligaments of the arch of the foot
  • Visceral fascia
suspends the organs within their cavities and wraps them in layers of connective tissue membranes. Each of the organs is covered in a double layer of fascia; these layers are separated by a thin serous membrane. The outermost wall of the organ is known as the parietal layer, whereas the skin of the organ is known as the visceral layer. The organs have specialized names for their visceral fasciae. In the brain, they are known as meninges; in the heart they are known as pericardia; in the lungs, they are known as pleura; and in the abdomen, they are known as peritonea. [6]

The meninges

The pleurae

The pericardium and the left cupola of the diaphragm

The peritoneum and renal fascia

Fascial dynamics

Fascia is a highly adaptable tissue. Due to its viscoelastic properties, superficial fascia can stretch to accommodate the deposition of adipose that accompanies both ordinary and prenatal weight gain. After pregnancy and weight loss, the superficial fascia slowly reverts to its original level of tension.

Visceral fascia is less extensible than superficial fascia. Due to its suspensory role of the organs, it needs to maintain its tone rather consistently. If it is too lax, it contributes to organ prolapse, yet if it is hypertonic, it restricts proper organ motility. [7]

Deep fascia is also less extensible than superficial fascia. It is essentially avascular [8], but is richly innervated with sensory receptors that report the presence of pain (nociceptors); change in movement (proprioceptors); change in pressure and vibration (mechanoreceptors); change in the chemical milieu (chemoreceptors); and fluctuation in temperature (thermoreceptors). [9], [10] Deep fascia is able to respond to sensory input by contracting; by relaxing; or by adding, reducing, or changing its composition through the process of fascial remodeling. [11]

Deep fascia can contract. What happens during the fight-or-flight response is an example of rapid fascial contraction . In response to a real or imagined threat to the organism, the body responds with a temporary increase in the stiffness of the fascia. Bolstered with tensioned fascia, people are able to perform extraordinary feats of strength and speed under emergency conditions. [12] How fascia contracts is still not well understood, but appears to involve the activity of myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts are fascial cells that are created as a response to mechanical stress. In a two step process, fibroblasts differentiate into proto-myofibroblasts that with continued mechanical stress, become differentiated myofibroblasts. [13] Fibroblasts cannot contract, but myofibroblasts are able to contract in a smooth muscle-like manner. [14]

The deep fascia can also relax. By monitoring changes in muscular tension, joint position, rate of movement, pressure, and vibration, mechanoreceptors in the deep fascia are capable of initiating relaxation. Deep fascia can relax rapidly in response to sudden muscular overload or rapid movements. Golgi tendon organs operate as a feedback mechanism by causing myofascial relaxation before muscle force becomes so great that tendons might be torn. Pacinian corpuscles sense changes in pressure and vibration to monitor the rate of acceleration of movement. They will initiate a sudden relaxatory response if movement happens too fast. [15] Deep fascia can also relax slowly as some mechanoreceptors respond to changes over longer timescales. Unlike the Golgi tendon organs, Golgi receptors report joint position independent of muscle contraction. This helps the body to know where the bones are at any given moment. Ruffini endings respond to regular stretching and to slow sustained pressure. In addition to initiating fascial relaxation, they contribute to full-body relaxation by inhibiting sympathetic activity which slows down heart rate and respiration. [16] [17]

When contraction persists, fascia will respond with the addition of new material. Fibroblasts secrete collagen and other proteins into the extracellular matrix where they bind to existing proteins, making the composition thicker and less extensible. Although this potentiates the tensile strength of the fascia, it can unfortunately restrict the very structures it aims to protect. The pathologies resulting from fascial restrictions range from a mild decrease in joint range of motion to severe fascial binding of muscles, nerves and blood vessels, as in compartment syndrome of the leg. However, if fascial contraction can be interrupted long enough, a reverse form of fascial remodeling occurs. The fascia will normalize its composition and tone and the extra material that was generated by prolonged contraction will be ingested by macrophages within the extracellular matrix. [18]

Like mechanoreceptors, chemoreceptors in deep fascia also have the ability to promote fascial relaxation. We tend to think of relaxation as a good thing, however fascia needs to maintain some degree of tension. This is especially true of ligaments. To maintain joint integrity, they need to provide adequate tension between bony surfaces. If a ligament is too lax, injury becomes more likely. Certain chemicals, including hormones, can influence the composition of the ligaments. An example of this is seen in the menstrual cycle, where hormones are secreted to create changes in the uterine and pelvic floor fascia. The hormones are not site-specific, however, and chemoreceptors in other ligaments of the body can be receptive to them as well. The ligaments of the knee may be one of the areas where this happens, as a significant association between the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle and an increased likelihood for an anterior cruciate ligament injury has been demonstrated. [19] [20]

It has been suggested that manipulation of the fascia by acupuncture needles is responsible for the physical sensation of qi flowing along meridians in the body,[21] even though there is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.[22][23]

Fascial pathology

Classification by region

See notes[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]

Fasciae

Abdominal viscera

Brain and nervous system

Ears

Eyes

Heart and blood

Respiration

Thyroid

Urinary tract and genitals

Muscles and bones

Generality

Head

Neck

Upper Extremity

Torso

Pelvis

Lower extremity

References

  1. ^ Paoletti, Serge (2006). The Fasciae: Anatomy, Dysfunction & Treatment. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press. pp. 151–161. ISBN 0-939616-53-X. 
  2. ^ Skandalakis, John E.; Skandalakis, P.N.; Skandalakis, L.J.; Skandalakis, J. (2002). Surgical Anatomy and Technique, 2nd Ed.. Atlanta, GA: Springer. pp. 1–2. ISBN 0-38798-752-5. 
  3. ^ Paoletti, Serge (2006). The Fasciae: Anatomy, Dysfunction & Treatment. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press. pp. 23–24. ISBN 0-939616-53-X. 
  4. ^ Hedley, Gil. (2005). The Integral Anatomy Series Vol. 1: Skin and Superficial fascia. [DVD]. Integral Anatomy Productions. http://integralanatomy.com/. Retrieved on 2006-07-17. 
  5. ^ Hedley, Gil. (2005). The Integral Anatomy Series Vol. 2: Deep Fascia and Muscle. [DVD]. Integral Anatomy Productions. http://integralanatomy.com/. Retrieved on 2006-07-17. 
  6. ^ Hedley, Gil. (2005). The Integral Anatomy Series Vol. 3: Cranial and Visceral Fasciae. [DVD]. Integral Anatomy Productions. http://integralanatomy.com/. Retrieved on 2006-07-17. 
  7. ^ Paoletti, Serge (2006). The Fasciae: Anatomy, Dysfunction & Treatment. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press. pp. 146–147. ISBN 0-939616-53-X. 
  8. ^ Rolf, Ida P. (1989). Rolfing. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. pp. 38. ISBN 0-89281-335-0. 
  9. ^ Chaitow, Leon (1988). Soft Tissue Manipulation. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. pp. 26–28. ISBN 0-89281-276-1. 
  10. ^ Schleip, R. (2003). "Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 1". Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (Elsevier) 7 (1): 15–19. 
  11. ^ Myers, Thomas W. (2002). Anatomy Trains. London, UK: Churchill Livingstone. pp. 15. ISBN 0-443-06351-6. 
  12. ^ Schleip, R.; Klingler W.; Lehmann-Horn, F. (2005). "Active fascial contractility: Fascia may be able to contract in a smooth muscle-like manner and thereby influence musculoskeletal dynamics". Medical Hypotheses (Elsevier) 65: 274. 
  13. ^ Tomasek, J.; Gabbiani, G.; Hinz, B.; Chaponnier, C.; Brown, R. (2002). "Myofibroblasts and Mechanoregulation of Connective Tissue Remodelling". Molecular Cell Biology (Nature Publishing Group) 3: 350–352. 
  14. ^ Schleip, R.; Klingler, W.; Lehmann-Horn, F. (2005). "Active fascial contractility: Fascia may be able to contract in a smooth muscle-like manner and thereby influence musculoskeletal dynamics". Medical Hypotheses (Elsevier) 65: 273–277. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2005.03.005. 
  15. ^ Chaitow, Leon (1988). Soft Tissue Manipulation. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. pp. 26–27. ISBN 0-89281-276-1. 
  16. ^ Schleip, R. (2003). "Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 1". Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (Elsevier) 7 (1): 11–19. doi:10.1016/S1360-8592(02)00067-0. 
  17. ^ Schleip, R. (2003). "Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 2". Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (Elsevier) 7 (2): 104–116. doi:10.1016/S1360-8592(02)00076-1. 
  18. ^ Paoletti, Serge (2006). The Fasciae: Anatomy, Dysfunction & Treatment. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press. pp. 138, 147–149. ISBN 0-939616-53-X. 
  19. ^ Wojtys, E.; Huston, L.; Lindenfeld, T.; Hewett, T.; Greenfield M.L. (1998). "Association Between the Menstrual Cycle and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Female Athletes". American Journal of Sports Medicine (American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) 26: 614–619. 
  20. ^ Heitz, N.; Eisenman, P.; Beck, C.; Walker, J. (1999). "Hormonal Changes Throughout the Menstrual Cycle and Increased Anterior Cruciate Ligament Laxity in Females". Journal of Athletic Training (National Athletic Trainers Association) 32 (2): 144–149. 
  21. ^ Kimura M, Tohya K, Kuroiwa K, Oda H, Gorawski EC, Hua ZX, Toda S, Ohnishi M, Noguchi E. “Electron microscopical and immunohistochemical studies on the induction of "Qi" employing needling manipulation.” Am J Chin Med. 1992;20(1):25-35.
  22. ^ Felix Mann. Chinese Medicine Times, vol 1 issue 4, Aug. 2006, "The Final Days of Traditional Beliefs? - Part One"
  23. ^ NIH Consensus Development Program (November 3-5, 1997). "Acupuncture --Consensus Development Conference Statement". National Institutes of Health. http://consensus.nih.gov/1997/1997Acupuncture107html.htm. Retrieved on 2007-07-17. 
  24. ^ "Dorlands Medical Dictionary - aponeuroses". Merck Source. http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_a_53zPzhtm#12146631. 
  25. ^ "Dorlands Medical Dictionary - fasciae". Merck Source. http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_f_03zPzhtm#12354757. 
  26. ^ "Dorlands Medical Dictionary - ligaments". Merck Source. http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_l_09zPzhtm#12488504. 
  27. ^ "Dorlands Medical Dictionary - membranes". Merck Source. http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_m_08zPzhtm#12522363. 
  28. ^ "Dorlands Medical Dictionary - tendons". Merck Source. http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommonzSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_t_04zPzhtm#12793967. 
  29. ^ "Fasciae and Aponeuroses - Organized by Region". Department of Anatomy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. http://anatomy.uams.edu/anatomyhtml/fascia_alpha.html. 
  30. ^ "Fascia of the Head and Neck". Department of Gross Anatomy at Tufts University. http://iris3.med.tufts.edu/headneck/Index.htm. 
  31. ^ "Viscera and Fascia Tables". The University of Michigan - Medical Gross Anatomy. http://www.med.umich.edu/lrc/coursepages/M1/anatomy/html/anatomytables/viscera.html. 

See also

Sister project Look up fascia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

External links

v • d • e
General anatomy of head and neck - head
Face/
Occiput
Nose
Mouth/
oral cavity
Other
Fascia
v • d • e
General anatomy of head and neck · neck (including throat)
Pharynx
Larynx
Ligaments/folds
Triangles of
the neck
Fasciae
Spaces
v • d • e
General anatomy of torso
Thorax/
Thoracic cavity
Thoracic diaphragm
Abdomen/
Abdominal cavity
Pelvis/
Pelvic cavity
Perineum
v • d • e
General anatomy of upper limbs
Arm
Forearm
Hand
v • d • e
General anatomy of lower limbs
Buttocks
Thigh
Crus
(anatomic leg)
Foot
v • d • e
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This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
Translations: Fascia
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Dansk (Danish)
n. - instrumentbræt, facadebånd, muskelhinde, forbinding

Nederlands (Dutch)
dashboard, lang recht stuk steen etc. in een gebouw, naambordje, verbindend/ bedekkend weefsel, band/strip

Français (French)
n. - (GB, Aut) tableau de bord, (GB) panneau, (Zool, Bot) bande, (Anat) fascia

Deutsch (German)
n. - Armaturenbrett

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - ταινία, λωρίδα, (ανατ.) περιτονία, απονεύρωση

Italiano (Italian)
(anat.) fascia, cruscotto

Português (Portuguese)
n. - fáscia (Med.)

Русский (Russian)
поясок, приборная доска

Español (Spanish)
n. - faja, venda, vendaje, banda o anillo, salpicadero, vincha, faja horizontal relativamente ancha como una cornisa, (zool) faja de tejido conjuntivo

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - band, list, firmaskylt, instrument (bräda), bindvävshinna (anat.), bandage, strimma

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
饰带, 招牌

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 飾帶, 招牌

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 띠, 붕대, (건축) 지붕 끝 , (동물)근막

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 計器盤, 看板

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) لفافه , رباط‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮לוח, סרט, לוח המכסה את קצות הקורות, שיכבה על כרכובי העמודים באדריכלות הקלסית‬

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Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Food and Fitness. Food and Fitness: A Dictionary of Diet and Exercise. Copyright © 1997, 2003 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.  Read more
Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Architecture and Landscaping. A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Copyright © 1999, 2006 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.  Read more
Sports Science and Medicine. The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Copyright © Michael Kent 1998, 2006, 2007. All rights reserved.  Read more
Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/  Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Fascia".  Read more
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