Fascia

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For other uses, see Fascia (disambiguation).

Fascia, pronounced /fɑʃjə/, is specialized connective tissue layer which surrounds muscles, bones, and joints, providing support, protection and giving structure to the body. It consists of three layers: the superficial fascia, the deep fascia and the subserous fascia.

Fascia is one of the four types of dense connective tissue (the other three being tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses).

According to Terminologia Anatomica of the Federal Committee on Anatomical Terminology ... fascia consists of sheaths, sheets or other dissectible connective tissue aggregations. Most form from condensations of mesenchyme ... some are left behind as organs move ... others are formed as serosal surfaces fuse .... Eventually the term fascia ... includes not only the sheaths of muscles but also the investments of viscera and dissectible structures related to them..

Contents

[edit] Classification by layer

  • The Superficial Fascia is located directly under the subcutis of the skin. Its functions include the storage of fat and water and it also provides passageways for nerves and blood vessels. In some areas of the body, it also houses a layer of skeletal muscle, allowing for movement of the skin.
  • The Deep Fascia is beneath the superficial fascia. It aids muscle movements and, like the superficial fascia, provides passageways for nerves and blood vessels. In some areas of the body, it also provides an attachment site for muscles and acts as a cushioning layer between them.
  • The Subserous Fascia is between the deep fascia and the membranes lining the cavities of the body. There is a potential space between it and the deep fascia which allows for flexibility and movement of the internal organs.

[edit] Classification by region

[edit] Head and neck

[edit] Neck

[edit] Upper limbs

[edit] Lower limbs

[edit] Back

[edit] Trunk, abdomen, and perineum

The fascia of the abdominal wall, spermatic cord, and perineum are somewhat continuous, but have different names. The table below attempts to capture some of those transitions, but not every row in the table can be considered a consistent layer. See the linked articles for more details.

Layer Abdominal wall Spermatic cord/Scrotum/Penis Perineum
- Skin Skin -
superficial Fascia of Camper - -
superficial Fascia of Scarpa Dartos Fascia of Colles
- - - Superficial perineal pouch
- Aponeurosis of the Obliquus externus abdominis External spermatic fascia/Buck's fascia Inferior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm
- - - Deep perineal pouch
- Abdominal internal oblique muscle Cremasteric fascia -
deep Transversalis fascia Internal spermatic fascia Superior fascia of the urogenital diaphragm
- Peritoneum Tunica vaginalis and Tunica albuginea -
- Organs Testicle -

[edit] Pelvic fascia

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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