Visceral fascia

Visceral fascia
Latin	fascia visceralis

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
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.^[1]

Fascial dynamics

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.^[2]

References

^ Hedley, Gil (2005). The Integral Anatomy Series Vol. 3: Cranial and Visceral Fasciae (DVD). Integral Anatomy Productions. http://integralanatomy.com/. Retrieved 2006-07-17.
^ Paoletti, Serge (2006). The Fasciae: Anatomy, Dysfunction & Treatment. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press. pp. 146–147. ISBN 0-939616-53-X.

Muscular system (TA A04.0, GA 4.361)

Topics

Muscular tissue · Muscles of the human body

Types of muscles

Cardiac muscle · Skeletal muscle · Smooth muscle

Other

Unipennate muscle · Bipennate muscle · Origin · Insertion · Fascia (Superficial fascia, Deep fascia, Visceral fascia) · Tendon/Aponeurosis · Fascial compartment

M: MUS, DF+DRCT

anat (h/n, u, t/d, a/p, l)/phys/devp/hist

noco(m, s, c)/cong(d)/tumr, sysi/epon, injr

proc, drug (M1A/3)

Anatomy of torso, digestive system: Gastrointestinal tract, excluding mouth (TA A05.3–7, TH H3.04.02-04, GA 11.1141)

Upper GI

Hypo- pharynx	Piriform sinus spaces: Peripharyngeal space Retropharyngeal space Parapharyngeal space Retrovisceral space Retropharyngeal space Danger space Prevertebral space Pterygomandibular raphe Pharyngeal raphe Buccopharyngeal fascia Pharyngobasilar fascia Pharyngeal muscles

Esophagus	UES LES Esophageal glands Serosa / Adventitia Muscular layer Submucosa Mucosa Muscularis mucosa

Stomach	by region: Greater curvature Lesser curvature Angular incisure Cardia Body Fundus Pylorus Pyloric antrum Pyloric canal by layer: Serosa Muscular layer Pyloric sphincter Submucosa Gastric mucosa Muscularis mucosa Gastric rugae Gastric pits Gastric gland Cardiac glands Fundic glands Pyloric glands Goblet cell

Lower GI

Intestine: small

Layers	Serosa Subserosa Muscular layer Circular folds Submucosa Mucosa Muscularis mucosa Peyer's patches Intestinal villus Intestinal gland

Duodenum	Suspensory muscle Major duodenal papilla Minor duodenal papilla Duodenal cap Duodenojejunal flexure Brunner's glands

Jejunum	no substructures

Ileum	Terminal ileum Ileocecal valve

Intestine: large

Layers	Serosa Subserosa Muscular layer Submucosa Mucosa

Cecum	Vermiform appendix

Colon	ascending colon hepatic flexure transverse colon splenic flexure descending colon sigmoid colon continuous taenia coli haustra epiploic appendix

Rectum	Transverse folds of rectum Rectal ampulla

Anal canal	Anal columns Anal valves Anal sinuses Pectinate line Sphincter ani internus muscle Intersphincteric groove Sphincter ani externus muscle Anus

M: DIG

anat(t, g, p)/phys/devp/enzy

noco/cong/tumr, sysi/epon

proc, drug(A2A/2B/3/4/5/6/7/14/16), blte