~2025-32684-48: /* Function */ Wikilink to introduced term

2025-11-11T01:50:38Z

Function: Wikilink to introduced term

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{{Short description|Layer of connective tissue in the body}}
{{Other uses|Fascia (disambiguation)}}
{{Anatomy-terms}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name = Fascia
| Latin = fascia
| Image = Gray395.png
| Caption = The [[rectus sheath]] (extensive vertical darker gray at left), an example of a fascia
| Image2 =
| Caption2 =
| System =
| Precursor = [[Mesenchyme]]
}}
[[File:Braus 1921 65.png|thumb|Microsopic image of a fascial structure ([[nuchal ligament]])]]
A '''fascia''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|æ|ʃ|(|i|)|ə}}; {{plural form}}: '''fasciae''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|æ|ʃ|i|i}} or '''fascias''';<ref name="MW">{{cite web |title=Definition of FASCIA |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascia |website=www.merriam-webster.com |access-date=12 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> adjective '''fascial'''; {{ety|la|fascia|band}}) is a generic term for [[Macroscopic scale|macroscopic]] [[Membranous layer|membranous]] bodily structures.<ref name=":2245">{{Cite book |last=Standring |first=Susan |title=Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice |year=2020 |isbn=978-0-7020-7707-4 |edition=42nd |location=New York |pages= |oclc=1201341621}}</ref>{{Rp|page=42}} Fasciae are classified as [[superficial fascia|superficial]], [[visceral fascia|visceral]] or [[deep fascia|deep]], and further designated according to their anatomical location.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Gatt |first1=Adrianna |title=Anatomy, Fascia Layers |date=2023 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526038/ |work=StatPearls |access-date=2023-05-16 |place=Treasure Island (FL) |publisher=StatPearls Publishing |pmid=30252294 |last2=Agarwal |first2=Sanjay |last3=Zito |first3=Patrick M.}}</ref>

The knowledge of fascial structures is essential in [[surgery]], as they create borders for infectious processes (for example [[Psoas abscess]]) and haematoma. An increase in pressure may result in a [[compartment syndrome]], where a prompt [[fasciotomy]] may be necessary. For this reason, profound descriptions of fascial structures are available in anatomical literature from the 19th century.

==Function==
Fasciae were traditionally thought of as passive structures that transmit mechanical tension generated by muscular activities or external forces throughout the body. An important function of muscle fasciae is to reduce friction of muscular force. In doing so, fasciae provide a supportive and movable wrapping for nerves and blood vessels as they pass through and between muscles.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Faller |first1=A. |title=The Human Body |last2=Schuenke |first2=M. |publisher=[[Thieme Medical Publishers]] |year=2004 |page=127}}</ref>

In the tradition of medical dissections it has been common practice to carefully clean muscles and other organs from their surrounding fasciae in order to study their detailed topography and function. However, this practice tends to ignore that many muscle fibers insert into their fascial envelopes and that the function of many organs is significantly altered when their related fasciae are removed.<ref name="FunctionalAtlas">{{cite book| last = Stecco| first = Carla| title = Functional Atlas of the Human Fascial System| year = 2015| publisher = Churchill Livingstone| isbn = 978-0702044304
}}</ref> This insight contributed to several modern biomechanical concepts of the human body, in which fascial tissues take over important stabilizing and connecting functions, by distributing tensional forces across several joints in a network-like manner similar to the architectural concept of [[tensegrity]].<ref name="TensionalNetwork">{{cite book| last = Schleip| first = Robert| title = Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body: The science and clinical applications in manual and movement therapy| year = 2022| publisher = Elsevier| isbn = 978-0702071836
}}</ref>
Starting in 2018 this concept of the fascial tissue serving as a body-wide tensional support system has been successfully expressed as an educational model with the [[Fascial Net Plastination Project]].

Fascial tissues – particularly those with tendinous or aponeurotic properties – are also able to store and release elastic potential energy.

Beyond storing and releasing elastic energy, fascial tissues contribute to proprioception and motor control through dense innervation with mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. Recent biomechanical studies also emphasize the role of fascial networks in distributing strain across multiple joints. This is an idea often framed as a body-wide tensegrity system, so that fascia participates dynamically in coordinated movement and postural stability.<ref name="Wilke2018">Wilke J, et al. Fascial tissue research in sports medicine: from molecules to tissue adaptation, injury and diagnostics. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(23):1497–1505.</ref><ref name="Schleip2012">Schleip R, et al. Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2012;16(1):77–91.</ref>

== Anatomical compartments ==
{{Main|Fascial compartment}}
A [[fascial compartment]] is a section within the body that contains [[muscles]] and [[nerves]] and is surrounded by fascia. In the [[human body]], the [[Limb (anatomy)|limbs]] can each be divided into two segments. The [[upper limb]] can be divided into the [[arm]] and the [[forearm]]; their sectional compartments are the [[fascial compartments of arm|fascial compartments of the arm]] and the [[fascial compartments of forearm|fascial compartments of the forearm]], which both contain an anterior and a posterior compartment. The lower limbs can also be divided into two segments: the [[human leg|leg]] and the [[thigh]]; those contain the [[fascial compartments of leg|fascial compartments of the leg]] and the [[fascial compartments of thigh|fascial compartments of the thigh]] respectively.

<gallery widths="300px" heights="auto" mode="packed" align="center">
File:Plastinated Human Thigh.jpg|Photo of cross-sectional slice from a [[plastinated]] human thigh.
File:Schematic drawing of a transverse section of the thigh illustrating its fascial anatomy.webp|Schematic drawing of a transverse section of the thigh illustrating its fascial anatomy.
</gallery>

==Clinical significance==
Fascia itself becomes clinically important when it loses stiffness, becomes too stiff, or has decreased shearing ability.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Klingler |first1=W. |last2=Velders |first2=M. |last3=Hoppe |first3=K. |last4=Pedro |first4=M. |last5=Schleip |first5=R. |year=2014 |title=Clinical relevance of fascial tissue and dysfunctions. |journal=Curr Pain Headache Rep |volume=18 |issue=8 |pages=439 |doi=10.1007/s11916-014-0439-y |pmid=24962403 |s2cid=4217127}}</ref> Fascial dysfunction has been implicated in a range of musculoskeletal pain syndromes, including myofascial pain and some cases of chronic low back pain, where altered fascial gliding or adhesions may contribute to symptoms. Surgical disruption of fascial planes can produce postoperative adhesions and functional limitations. Rehabilitation approaches such as targeted physical therapy and myofascial release aim to restore fascial mobility and reduce pain, though high-quality randomized trials assessing long-term efficacy are limited.<ref name="Langevin2004">Langevin HM, et al. Connective tissue: a body-wide signaling network? Med Hypotheses. 2004;62(5):849–853.</ref><ref name="Ajimsha2015">Ajimsha MS, et al. Effectiveness of myofascial release in chronic low back pain. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015.</ref>When inflammatory [[fasciitis]] or trauma causes [[fibrosis]] and adhesions, fascial tissue fails to differentiate the adjacent structures effectively. This can happen after surgery, where the fascia has been incised and healing includes a [[scar]] that traverses the surrounding structures.

== Research ==
{{Main|Fascial Net Plastination Project}}
The [[Fascial Net Plastination Project]] (FNPP) is an anatomical research initiative spearheaded by fascia researcher [[Robert Schleip]]. The project aims to enhance the study of fascia through the technique of [[plastination]]. Led by an international team of fascia experts and anatomists, the FNPP resulted in the creation of a full-body fascia plastinate known as '''FR:EIA''' (Fascia Revealed: Educating Interconnected Anatomy).<ref name="bodyworlds">{{Cite web |title=FR:EIA - Fascial Net Plastination Project |url=https://bodyworlds.com/freia/ |website=Body Worlds |access-date=2024-08-26}}</ref> This plastinate provides a detailed view of the human fascial network, allowing for a better understanding of its structure and function as an interconnected tissue throughout the body.

FR:EIA was unveiled at the 2021 [[Fascia Research Congress]] and is currently exhibited at the [[Body Worlds]] exhibition in Berlin. This project represents a significant contribution to the visualization of fascia and has the potential to influence future research in fields such as medicine, physical therapy, and movement science.<ref name="bodyworlds">{{Cite web |title=FR:EIA - Fascial Net Plastination Project |url=https://bodyworlds.com/freia/ |website=Body Worlds |access-date=2024-08-26}}</ref><ref name="fasciaanatomylabs">{{Cite web |title=About Jihan Adem & Gary Carter - Fascia Focused Anatomy Labs |url=https://www.fasciaanatomylabs.com |website=fasciaanatomylabs.com |access-date=2024-08-26}}</ref>

==Terminology==
There exists some controversy about what structures are considered "fascia" and how they should be classified.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2013-01-29 |title=Terminologica anatomia humana. A04.0.00.031: fascia |url=https://ifaa.unifr.ch/Public/EntryPage/TA98%20Tree/Entity%20TA98%20EN/04.0.00.031%20Entity%20TA98%20EN.htm |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=ifaa.unifr.ch |publisher=International Federation of Associations of Anatomists}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last1 = Committee on Anatomical Termi | first1 = Federative | title = Terminologia Anatomica: International Anatomical Terminology | year = 1998 | publisher = Thieme Stuttgart | isbn = 3-13-114361-4 | pages = 33 }}It is acknowledged that the various definitions of fascia
offered by recognised authorities do not enjoy universal agreement and all have varying deficiencies. These definitions currently
fall short of an agreed, descriptive, fully embracing definition that would suit all interested medical agencies/researchers and allied
disciplines (16).</ref>

The current version of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists divides into:<ref name=":0" />

* Fascia craniocervicalis
* Fascia trunci
** Fascia parietalis
** Fascia extraserosalis
** Fascia visceralis
* Fasciae membrorum
* Fasciae musculorum
** Fascia investiens
** Fascia propria musculi

=== Previous terminology ===
Two former, rather commonly used systems are:
* The one specified in the 1983 edition of [[Nomina Anatomica]] (NA 1983)
* The one specified in the 1997 edition of [[Terminologia Anatomica]] (TA 1997)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! NA 1983
! TA 1997
! Description
! Example
|-
| Superficial fascia
| (not considered fascia in this system)
| This is found in the [[subcutis]] in most regions of the body, blending with the reticular layer of the [[dermis]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Skandalakis |first = John E. |author2=Skandalakis, P.N. |author3=Skandalakis, L.J. |author4=Skandalakis, J. | title = Surgical Anatomy and Technique, 2nd Ed. | publisher = Springer | year = 2002 | location = Atlanta, GA | pages = 1–2 | isbn = 0-387-98752-5 }}</ref>
| [[Fascia of Scarpa]]
|-
| [[Deep fascia]]
| Fascia of muscles
| This is the [[dense connective tissue|dense fibrous connective tissue]] that interpenetrates and surrounds the muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels of the body.
| [[Transverse fascia]]
|-
| Visceral fascia
| Visceral fascia, parietal fascia
| This suspends the organs within their cavities and wraps them in layers of connective tissue [[Biological membrane|membranes]].
| [[Pericardium]]
|}

==== Superficial ====
'''Superficial fascia''' is the lowermost layer of the [[human skin|skin]] in nearly all of the regions of the [[human body|body]], that blends with the [[reticular dermis]] layer.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Skandalakis |first = John E. |author2=Skandalakis, P.N. |author3=Skandalakis, L.J. |author4=Skandalakis, J. | title = Surgical Anatomy and Technique, 2nd Ed. | publisher = Springer | year = 2002 | location = Atlanta, GA | pages = 1–2 | isbn = 0-387-98752-5 }}</ref> It is present on the [[face]], over the upper portion of the [[sternocleidomastoid]], at the [[nape]] of the [[neck]] and overlying the [[Human sternum|breastbone]].<ref>{{Cite book| last = Paoletti | first = Serge | title = The Fasciae: Anatomy, Dysfunction & Treatment | publisher = Eastland Press | year = 2006 | pages = 23–24 | location = Seattle, WA | isbn = 0-939616-53-X}}</ref> It consists mainly of loose [[areolar connective tissue|areolar]] and fatty [[adipose]] [[connective tissue]] and is the layer that primarily determines the shape of a body.{{medical citation needed|date=April 2019}} In addition to its [[Subcutaneous tissue|subcutaneous]] presence, superficial fascia surrounds [[organ (anatomy)|organs]], [[glands]] and [[neurovascular bundle]]s, and fills otherwise empty space at many other locations. 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.<ref>{{Cite AV media | people = Hedley, Gil |date = 2005 | title = The Integral Anatomy Series Vol. 1: Skin and Superficial fascia | url = https://www.youtube.com/user/somanaut}}</ref>

Superficial fascia is present, but does not contain fat, in the [[eyelid]], [[ear]], [[scrotum]], [[Human penis|penis]] and [[clitoris]].<ref>Norman Eizenberg, ''General Anatomy:Principles and Applications'' (2008), p 70.</ref>

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 ====
'''Visceral fascia''' (also called '''subserous fascia''') suspends the organs within their cavities and wraps them in layers of connective tissue [[cell membrane|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 [[:wikt:parietal|parietal]] layer
* The skin of the organ is known as the [[viscera]]l 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 [[pericardium|pericardia]]; in the lungs, they are known as [[pleurae]]; and in the abdomen, they are known as [[peritoneum|peritonea]].<ref>{{cite video | people = Hedley, Gil |date = 2005 | title = The Integral Anatomy Series Vol. 3: Cranial and Visceral Fasciae | url = http://integralanatomy.com/ | medium = DVD | publisher = Integral Anatomy Productions | access-date = 2006-07-17 }}</ref>

Visceral fascia is less extensible than superficial fascia. Due to its suspensory role for the organs, it needs to maintain its tone rather consistently. If it is too lax, it contributes to organ [[prolapse]], yet if it is [[Tonicity#Hypertonic solution|hypertonic]], it restricts proper organ [[motility]].<ref>{{Cite book| last = Paoletti | first = Serge | title = The Fasciae: Anatomy, Dysfunction & Treatment | publisher = Eastland Press | date = 2006 | pages = 146–147 | location = Seattle, WA | isbn = 0-939616-53-X}}</ref>

==== Deep ====
{{Main|Deep fascia}}

[[Deep fascia]] is a layer of [[dense regular connective tissue|dense fibrous connective tissue]] which surrounds individual [[muscle]]s and divides groups of muscles into [[fascial compartment]]s.
This fascia has a high density of [[elastin]] fibre that determines its [[extensibility]] or resilience.<ref>{{Cite AV media | people = Hedley, Gil |date = 2005 | title = The Integral Anatomy Series Vol. 2: Deep Fascia and Muscle | url = http://integralanatomy.com/ | medium = DVD | publisher = Integral Anatomy Productions | access-date = 2006-07-17 }}</ref> Deep fascia was originally considered to be essentially avascular but later investigations have confirmed a rich presence of thin blood vessels.<ref>{{cite book | last = Stecco | first = Carla | title = Functional Atlas of the Human Fascial System | publisher = Churchill Livingstone Elsevier | year = 2015 | location = Edinburgh, UK | page = 59 | isbn = 978-0-7020-4430-4 }}</ref> Deep fascia is also richly supplied with [[sensory receptor]]s.<ref name=Schleip2003>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S1360-8592(02)00067-0 |title=Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 1 |journal=Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=11–9 |year=2003 |last1=Schleip |first1=Robert }}</ref> Histologically, fascia is composed predominantly of type I collagen fibers with variable amounts of elastin, which together determine tensile strength and extensibility. Fibroblasts are the principal resident cells, and fascial tissue contains vascular elements (particularly in deep fascia), immune cells such as macrophages and mast cells, and a dense array of sensory nerve endings; these features enable fascia to participate in repair, inflammation, and nociception.<ref name="Stecco2011">Stecco C, Macchi V, Porzionato A, et al. The fascia: the forgotten structure. Ital J Anat Embryol. 2011.</ref><ref name="Yahia1992">Yahia LH, et al. Sensory innervation of human thoracolumbar fascia. Acta Orthop Scand. 1992;63(2):195–197.</ref> Examples of deep fascia are [[fascia lata]], [[fascia cruris]], [[brachial fascia]], [[plantar fascia]], [[thoracolumbar fascia]] and [[Buck's fascia]].

==See also==
* [[Clavipectoral fascia]]
* [[Endothoracic fascia]]
* [[Extracellular matrix]]
* [[Interstitial cell]]
* [[Pectoral fascia]]
* [[Thoracolumbar fascia]]
* [[Fascia (architecture)]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Fascia (tissue)|Fascia}}
{{Wiktionary}}
* [http://www.fasciaresearch.com/ Fascia Research]
* {{NormanAnatomy|lesson1layersofbody}}

{{male reproductive system}}
{{female reproductive system}}
{{Muscular system}}
{{Muscles of lower limb}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fascia| ]]
[[Category:Connective tissue]]
[[Category:Medical terminology]]

Fascia - Revision history

~2025-32684-48: /* Function */ Wikilink to introduced term