- Fascia
- A flat band of tissue below the skin that covers underlying tissues and separates different layers of tissue. Fascia encloses muscles. Inflammation of the fascia is referred to as fasciitis. "Fascia" is the Latin word for "band or bandage."
* * *A sheet of fibrous tissue that envelops the body beneath the skin; it also encloses muscles and groups of muscles, and separates their several layers or groups. [L. a band or fillet]- f. abdominalis parietalis extraperitoneal f..- Abernethy f. a layer of subperitoneal areolar tissue in front of the external iliac artery. See iliac f..- f. adherens a broad intercellular junction in the intercalated disk of cardiac muscle that anchors actin filaments.- antebrachial f. [TA] it is continuous with the brachial f.; in the region of the wrist it forms two thickened bands, the extensor and flexor retinacula. SYN: f. antebrachii [TA], deep f. of forearm, f. of forearm.- f. antebrachii [TA] SYN: antebrachial f..- f. axillaris [TA] SYN: axillary f..- axillary f. [TA] the perforated f. that forms the floor of the axilla. It is continuous with the pectoral and clavipectoral f. anteriorly, with the brachial f. laterally, and with the f. of the latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior muscles posteriorly and medially. SYN: f. axillaris [TA].- brachial f. [TA] the deep f. of the arm; it is continuous proximally with the pectoral f. and the f. covering the deltoid; distally it is continuous with the antebrachial f.. SYN: f. brachii [TA], deep f. of arm.- f. brachii [TA] SYN: brachial f..- f. buccopharyngea [TA] SYN: buccopharyngeal f..- buccopharyngeal f. [TA] the f. that covers the muscular layer of the pharynx and is continued forward onto the buccinator muscle. SYN: f. buccopharyngea [TA].- clavipectoral f. [TA] a f. that extends between the coracoid process, the clavicle, and the thoracic wall. It includes the muscular f. which envelops the subclavius and pectoralis minor muscles and the strong membrane (costocoracoid membrane) formed in the interval between them, and the suspensory ligament of the axilla. The clavipectoral f. (and the muscles it envelopes) constitute the deep anterior wall of the axilla. SYN: f. clavipectoralis [TA].- f. clavipectoralis [TA] SYN: clavipectoral f..- Cooper f. SYN: cremasteric f..- cremasteric f. [TA] intermediate coverings of the spermatic cord, formed of delicate connective tissue and of muscular fibers derived from the internal oblique muscle (cremaster muscle). SEE ALSO: aponeurosis of internal oblique muscle. SYN: f. cremasterica [TA], Cooper f., Scarpa sheath.- f. cremasterica [TA] SYN: cremasteric f..- cribriform f. [TA] the part of the superficial f. of the thigh that covers the saphenous opening. SYN: f. cribrosa [TA], Hesselbach f..- f. cribrosa [TA] SYN: cribriform f..- f. cruris [TA] SYN: deep f. of leg.- dartos f. [TA] a layer of smooth muscular tissue in the integument of the scrotum. SEE ALSO: dartos muliebris, dartos muscle. SYN: tunica dartos [TA], superficial f. of scrotum, membrana carnosa, tunica carnea.- deep f. a thin fibrous membrane, devoid of fat, that invests the muscles, separating the several groups and the individual muscles, forms sheaths for the nerves and vessels, becomes specialized around the joints to form or strengthen ligaments, envelops various organs and glands, and binds all the structures together into a firm compact mass. Terminologia Anatomica [TA] has recommended that the terms “superficial f.” and “deep f.” not be used generically in an unqualified way because of variation in their meanings internationally. The recommended terms are “subcutaneous tissue [TA] (tela subcutanea)” for the former superficial f., and “muscular f.” or “visceral f.” (f. musculorum or f. viscera[is]) in place of deep f.. SYN: f. profunda.- (deep) cervical f. [TA] f. of the neck; it is divided into an external or investing layer (superficial lamina) that surrounds the neck and encloses the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, a middle or pretracheal layer in relation to the infrahyoid muscles, and a deep or prevertebral layer applied to the vertebrae and axial muscles. SYN: f. cervicalis [TA], deep f. of neck, f. cervicalis profunda.- deep f. of leg [TA] f. of the leg; it is continuous with the f. lata and is attached proximally to the patella, ligamentum patellae, the tubercle and condyles of the tibia, and the head of the fibula; distally it is thickened to form the flexor and extensor retinacula. SYN: f. cruris [TA], crural f., f. of leg.- deep f. of thigh the strong deep f. of the thigh, enveloping the muscles of the thigh and thickened laterally as the iliotibial track. SYN: f. lata [TA], broad f..- f. dentata hippocampi SYN: dentate gyrus.- dorsal f. of foot [TA] the f. that encloses the extensor tendons of the toes and blends with the inferior extensor retinaculum. SYN: f. dorsalis pedis [TA].- dorsal f. of hand [TA] the deep f. of the back of the hand continuous proximally with the extensor retinaculum. SYN: f. dorsalis manus [TA].- endoabdominal f. [TA] 1. SYN: extraperitoneal f.. 2. term used generically to include not only the parietal extraperitoneal f. hut also the visceral f. in the abdominopelvic cavity. SYN: f. endoabdominalis [TA].- f. endoabdominalis [TA] SYN: endoabdominal f..- endothoracic f. [TA] the extrapleural f. that lines the wall of the thorax; it extends over the cupula of the pleura as the suprapleural membrane and also forms a thin layer between the diaphragm and pleura (phrenicopleura f.) This loose areolar layer provides an extrapleural surgical plane. SYN: f. endothoracica [TA].- f. endothoracica [TA] SYN: endothoracic f..- external spermatic f. [TA] the outer fascial covering of the spermatic cord; it is continuous at the superficial inguinal ring with the f. covering the external oblique muscle. SEE ALSO: aponeurosis of external oblique muscle. SYN: f. spermatica externa [TA].- extraperitoneal f. [TA] fascial plane of mainly loose areolar tissue between the parietal peritoneum and the internal muscular (iliopsoas and inner lamina of thoracolumbar f.) and transversalis f. of the body wall; its quality and quantity vary considerably, being very thick and fatty posteriorly, as pararenal f. around the kidneys, but thin and fibrous anteriorly, deep to the linea alba of the anterior abdominal wall. SYN: endoabdominal f. (1) [TA], parietal abdominal f. [TA], f. abdominalis parietalis, f. subperitonealis, subperitoneal f..- f. extraperitonealis [TA]- f. of forearm SYN: antebrachial f..- Gallaudet f. SYN: perineal f..- Hesselbach f. SYN: cribriform f..- hypothenar f. thinner, ulnar portion of the palmar f. overlying the hypothenar muscles, forming a roof for the hypothenar compartment of the palm. SEE ALSO: palmar f..- iliac f. [TA] the f. covering the iliacus and psoas muscles, continuous with transversalis f. anterolaterally and with femoral sheath inferiorly. SYN: pars iliaca fasciae iliopsoaticae [TA], f. iliaca.- f. iliaca SYN: iliac f..- iliopectineal f. a f. formed by the union of the fasciae covering the iliacus and pectinus muscles which cover the floor of the iliopectineal fossa. See iliopectineal arch.- inferior f. of pelvic diaphragm [TA] the f. that covers the inferior aspect of the levator ani and coccygeus muscles. SYN: f. diaphragmatis pelvis inferior [TA], anal f..- f. infraspinata SYN: infraspinous f..- infraspinatus f. SYN: infraspinous f..- infraspinous f. [TA] the f. attached to the borders of the infraspinous fossa and covering the infraspinatus muscle; it is continuous with the f. covering the deltoid. SYN: f. infraspinata, infraspinatus f..- internal spermatic f. [TA] the inner covering of the spermatic cord, continuous above the deep inguinal ring with f. transversalis. SYN: f. spermatica interna [TA], infundibuliform f., tunica vaginalis communis.- interosseous f. the f. covering the interosseous muscles of the hand or foot; it consists of a dorsal layer and a palmar or plantar layer.- f. investiens [TA] SYN: investing layer.- f. investiens perinei superficialis perineal f..- f. of leg SYN: deep f. of leg.- lumbodorsal f. SYN: thoracolumbar f..- masseteric f. [TA] the f. that covers the lateral surface of the masseter muscle. SYN: f. masseterica [TA].- f. masseterica [TA] SYN: masseteric f..- muscular f. [TA] a relatively thin fibrous membrane, devoid of fat, that invests the muscles, directly on their surfaces, separating the several groups and the individual muscles. Terminologia Anatomica [TA] has recommended that the terms “superficial f.” and “deep f.” not be used generically in an unqualified way because of variation in their meanings internationally. The recommended terms are “subcutaneous tissue [TA] (tela subcutanea)” for the former superficial f., and “muscular f.” or “visceral f.” (f. musculorum or f. viscera[is]) in place of deep f..- muscular f. of extraocular muscle [TA] muscular f.; the part of the orbital f. that envelops the extraocular muscles; it is thin posteriorly but becomes thicker where it is continuous with the bulbar sheath; the fascial sheaths of the four rectus muscles are connected by an intermuscular membrane. SYN: f. muscularis musculorum bulbi [TA], f. of extraocular muscles, fascial sheaths of extraocular muscles.- f. musculi quadrati lumborum anterior layer of thoracolumbar f..- f. nuchae [TA] SYN: nuchal f..- obturator f. [TA] the portion of the pelvic f. that covers the obturator internus muscle. SYN: f. obturatoria [TA], f. of obturator internus.- f. obturatoria [TA] SYN: obturator f..- orbital fasciae the fascial structures of the orbit consisting of periorbita, orbital septum, muscular f., and fascial sheath of eyeball. SYN: fasciae orbitales.- fasciae orbitales SYN: orbital fasciae.- palmar f. the deep f. of the palm of the hand, the thinner lateral and medial portions of which are the thenar and hypothenar f., and the thick central portion, which roofs the central compartment of the palm, is the palmar aponeurosis. SEE ALSO: palmar aponeurosis.- parietal pelvic f. [TA] including the obturator f., covers the muscles that pass from the interior of the pelvis to the thigh. SYN: f. pelvis parietalis [TA], endopelvic f., f. endopelvina.- parotid f. [TA] the part of the investing cervical f. that ensheaths the parotid gland and is fixed above to the zygomatic arch. SYN: f. parotidea [TA], fibrous capsule of parotid gland, parotid sheath.- f. parotidea [TA] SYN: parotid f..- parotideomasseteric f. a dense membrane covering both the lateral and medial surfaces of the parotid gland, continuous anteriorly with the f. covering the masseter muscle. See parotid f., masseteric f.. SYN: f. parotideomasseterica.- f. parotideomasseterica SYN: parotideomasseteric f..- pectoral f. [TA] the f. that covers the pectoralis major muscle; it is attached to the sternum and to the clavicle; laterally and below it is continuous with the f. of the shoulder, axilla, and thorax. SYN: f. pectoralis [TA].- f. pectoralis [TA] SYN: pectoral f..- pelvic f. [TA] it includes parietal and visceral components: f. pelvis parietalis and f. pelvis visceralis. SYN: f. pelvis [TA], f. pelvica.- f. pelvica pelvic f..- f. of penis [TA] a deep layer which surrounds the three erectile bodies of the penis. SYN: f. penis [TA], Buck f., deep f. of penis, f. penis profunda.- perineal f. [TA] f. that intimately invests the superficial perineal muscles (ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus, and superficial transverse perineal muscles); anteriorly it is fused to the suspensory ligament of the penis/clitoris, and is continuous with the deep f. covering the external oblique muscle of the abdomen and the rectus sheath. SYN: f. perinei [TA], deep perineal f., f. investiens perinei superficialis, superficial investing f. of perineum, Gallaudet f..- f. perinei [TA] SYN: perineal f..- pharyngobasilar f. [TA] the fibrous coat of the pharyngeal wall situated between the mucous and muscular coats; it is attached above to the basilar part of the occipital bone, and the petrous part of the temporal bone. This layer and the mucosa which lines it forms the wall of the non-muscular pharynx (pharyngeal vault) above the superior pharyngesl constrictor muscle. SYN: f. pharyngobasilaris [TA], aponeurosis pharyngea, tela submucosa pharyngis.- f. pharyngobasilaris [TA] SYN: pharyngobasilar f..- phrenicopleural f. [TA] the thin layer of endothoracic f. intervening between the diaphragmatic pleura and the diaphragm. SYN: f. phrenicopleuralis [TA].- f. phrenicopleuralis [TA] SYN: phrenicopleural f..- plantar f. deep f. of the sole of the foot; includes thick central part, the plantar aponeurosis, covering the central compartment of the sole of the foot, and thinner medial and lateral parts covering the hallucis and digit minimi muscles (compartments), respectively.- popliteal f. the f. that covers the popliteal fossa, continuous with f. lata superiorly and crural f. inferiorly.- prececocolic f. [TA] inconstant portion of endoabdominal f. crossing anterior to the cecum, sometimes extending superiorly onto a portion of the ascending colon. SYN: f. prececocolica [TA].- f. prececocolica [TA] SYN: prececocolic f..- presacral f. [TA] layer of endopelvic f. passing between sacrum and rectum, forming the anterior boundary of the presacral (retrorectal) fascial space, in which the hypogastric nervous plexus is embedded. SYN: f. presacralis [TA], lamina retrorectalis fasciae endopelvicae, retrorectal lamina of endopelvic f., retrorectal lamina of hypogastric sheath.- f. presacralis [TA] SYN: presacral f..- f. of prostate the condensation of pelvic visceral f. that encloses the prostate gland. SYN: f. prostatae [TA].- rectosacral f. [TA] fusion of the visceral f. of the rectum and the presacral endopelvic f. on the posterior aspect of the rectum. SYN: f. rectosacralis [TA], mesoprocton.- f. rectosacralis [TA] SYN: rectosacral f..- rectovesical f. SYN: rectovesical septum.- renal f. [TA] the condensation of the fibroareolar tissue and fat surrounding the kidney to form a sheath for the organ. SYN: f. renalis [TA], Gerota capsule, Gerota f., perirenal f..- f. renalis [TA] SYN: renal f..- Sibson f. SYN: suprapleural membrane.- subperitoneal f. SYN: extraperitoneal f..- f. subperitonealis SYN: extraperitoneal f..- superficial f. SYN: subcutaneous tissue.- f. superficialis SYN: subcutaneous tissue.- superior f. of pelvic diaphragm [TA] the f. on the superior aspect of the levator ani and coccygeus muscles. SYN: f. superior diaphragmatis pelvis [TA].- temporal f. [TA] the f. covering the temporal muscle; it is composed of two layers, lamina superficialis and lamina profunda; both attach above to the superior temporal line but diverge inferiorly to attach to the lateral and medial surfaces of the zygomatic arch. SYN: f. temporalis [TA], temporal aponeurosis.- f. temporalis [TA] SYN: temporal f..- f. thoracolumbalis [TA] SYN: thoracolumbar f..- thoracolumbar f. [TA] gives origin to internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles; exhibits three layers: posterior, middle, and anterior—the posterior and middle layers surround erector spinae muscles and the middle and anterior layers surround quadratus lumborum muscle. SYN: f. thoracolumbalis [TA], lumbodorsal f., thoracolumbar aponeurosis.- f. transversalis [TA] SYN: transversalis f..- transversalis f. [TA] the lining f. of the anterolateral abdominal wall, between the inner surface of the abdominal musculature and the peritoneum. SYN: f. transversalis [TA].- triangular f. SYN: reflected inguinal ligament.- f. triangularis abdominis SYN: reflected inguinal ligament.- Tyrrell f. SYN: rectovesical septum.- umbilical f. [TA] the thin fascial layer interposed between the transversalis f. and the umbilicovesical f. It extends between the medial umbilical ligaments from the umbilicus downward in front of the bladder, forming the posterior boundary of the retropubic space. SYN: umbilical prevesical f..- f. umbilicalis [TA]- umbilicovesical f. a thin fascial layer that extends between the medial umbilical ligaments and is continuous with f. enclosing the bladder.- vastoadductor f. SYN: anteromedial intermuscular septum.- visceral f. [TA] a thin, fibrous membrane that envelops various organs and glands, binding structures together in some cases and forming partitions between them in other cases. Terminologia Anatomica [TA] has recommended that the terms “superficial f.” and “deep f.” not be used generically in an unqualified way because of variation in their meanings internationally. The recommended terms are “subcutaneous tissue [TA] (tela subcutanea)” for the former superficial f., and “muscular f.” or “visceral f.” (f. musculorum or f. viscera[is]) in place of deep f..- visceral pelvic f. [TA] covers the pelvic organs and surrounds vessels and nerves in the subperitoneal space. SYN: f. pelvis visceralis [TA].
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fas·cia 'fash-(ē-)əalso 'fāsh- n, pl -ci·ae -ē-.ē or -cias a sheet of connective tissue (as an aponeurosis) covering or binding together body structures also tissue occurring in such a sheet see DEEP FASCIA, SUPERFICIAL FASCIAfas·cial -(ē-)əl adj* * *
n. (pl. fasciae)connective tissue forming layers of variable thickness in all regions of the body. It is divided into superficial fascia, found immediately beneath the skin, and deep fascia, which envelops organs and tissues. Deep fascia includes the sheets of fibrous tissue that enclose muscles and muscle groups and separate them into layers.* * *
fas·cia (fashґe-ə) gen. and pl. fasґciae [L. “bandâ€] a sheet or band of fibrous tissue such as lies deep to the skin or forms an investment for muscles and various other organs of the body. fascial adjDescriptions of anatomic structures are given on TA terms, and include anglicized names of specific fasciae.
Medical dictionary. 2011.
