A fascia (
/ˈfæʃiə/; plural fasciae /ˈfæʃɨ.aɪ/; adjective fascial; from latin: "band") is a layer of fibrous tissue.[1] A fascia is a structure of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding some structures together, while permitting others to slide smoothly over each other.[2] Various kinds of fascia consists of distinct layers, depending on their functions and their anatomical location: a superficial fascia, a deep fascia, and a subserous (or visceral) fascia and extends uninterrupted from the head to the tip of the toes.[3]
Like ligaments, aponeuroses, and tendons, fasciae are dense regular connective tissues, containing closely packed bundles of collagen fibers oriented in a wavy pattern parallel to the direction of pull. Fasciae are consequently flexible structures able to resist great unidirectional tension forces until the wavy pattern of fibers has been straightened out by the pulling force. These collagen fibers are produced by the fibroblasts located within the fascia.[2]
Fasciae are similar to ligaments and tendons as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, tendons join muscle to bone and fasciae connect muscles to other muscles.
[edit] Definition
There exists some controversy about what structures are considered "fascia", and how fascia should be classified.[4] The two most common systems are:
[edit] Function
Fasciae are normally thought of as passive structures that transmit mechanical tension generated by muscular activities or external forces throughout the body. Some research suggest that fasciae might be able to contract independently and thus actively influence muscle dynamics.[6]
The function of muscle fasciae is to reduce friction to minimize the reduction of muscular force. In doing so, fasciae:
1.Provide a sliding and gliding environment for muscles.
2.Suspend organs in their proper place.
3.Transmit movement from muscle to the bones they are attached to.
4.Provide a supportive and movable wrapping for nerves and blood vessels as they pass through and between muscles. [7]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "fascia" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ a b Marieb, Elaine Nicpon; Hoehn, Katja (2007). Human anatomy & physiology. Pearson Education. p. 133. ISBN 9780321372949. http://books.google.com/books?id=x1uEB68iitwC&pg=PA133.
- ^ "Self Myofascial Release". http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/self-myofascial-release.html. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
- ^ Committee on Anatomical Termi, Federative. Terminologia Anatomica: International Anatomical Terminology. Thieme Stuttgart. pp. 33. ISBN 3-13-114361-4.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Schleip, R; Klingler, F; 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 65 (2): 273–7. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2005.03.005. PMID 15922099.
- ^ Faller, A; Schuenke, M (2004) The Human Body, Thieme, p 127
[edit] External links
/ˈfæʃiə/; plural fasciae /ˈfæʃɨ.aɪ/; adjective fascial; from latin: "band") is a layer of fibrous tissue.[1] A fascia is a structure of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding some structures together, while permitting others to slide smoothly over each other.[2] Various kinds of fascia consists of distinct layers, depending on their functions and their anatomical location: a superficial fascia, a deep fascia, and a subserous (or visceral) fascia and extends uninterrupted from the head to the tip of the toes.[3]
