Not to be confused with [fassia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fassia), [fuchsia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuchsia), or [fascism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism).
For other uses, see [Fascia (disambiguation)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascia_(disambiguation)).
| _Fascia_ | |
| --- | --- |
| [![[Fascia__unknown_filename.1.png]]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gray395.png) | |
| The [rectus sheath](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectus_sheath), an example of a fascia. | |
| [Latin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin) | _fascia_ |
| [Gray's](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subjects_in_Gray%27s_Anatomy:104#Gray.27s_page_.23376) | _[subject #104 376](http://education.yahoo.com/reference/gray/subjects/subject?id=104#p376)_ |
| [Precursor](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embryology) | [mesenchyme](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesenchyme) |
| [MeSH](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_Subject_Headings) | _[Fascia](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/mesh/2011/MB_cgi?mode=&term=Fascia)_ |
A **fascia** ( ![[Fascia__unknown_filename.png]] [/](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English)[ˈ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[f](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[æ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[ʃ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[i](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[ə](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[/](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English); plural **fasciae** [/](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English)[ˈ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[f](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[æ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[ʃ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[ɨ](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[iː](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English#Key)[/](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:IPA_for_English); adjective **fascial**; from [latin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin): "band") is a layer of fibrous [tissue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissue_(biology))[1](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_note-0) that permeates the human body. A fascia is a [connective tissue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connective_tissue) that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, binding those structures together in much the same manner as [plastic wrap](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_wrap) can be used to hold the contents of sandwiches together.[2](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_note-Marieb-133-1) It consists of several layers: 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](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_note-sport-fitness-advisor-2)
Like [ligaments](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligament), [aponeuroses](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aponeurosis), and [tendons](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendon), fasciae are _dense regular_ connective tissues, containing closely packed bundles of [collagen](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibroblast) located within the fascia.[2](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_note-Marieb-133-1)
## Contents
\[[hide](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#)\]
* [1 Definition](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#Definition)
* [2 Function](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#Function)
* [3 See also](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#See_also)
* [4 References](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#References)
* [5 External links](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#External_links)
## \[[edit](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fascia&action=edit§ion=1)\] Definition
There exists some controversy about what structures are considered "fascia", and how fascia should be classified.[4](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_note-3) The two most common systems are:
* the one specified in the 1983 edition of [Nomina Anatomica](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomina_Anatomica) (NA 1983)
* the one specified in the 1997 edition of [Terminologia Anatomica](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminologia_Anatomica) (TA 1997)
| NA 1983 | TA 1997 | Description | Example |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Superficial fascia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superficial_fascia) | (not considered fascia in this system) | This is found in the [subcutis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subcutis) in most regions of the body, blending with the reticular layer of the [dermis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermis).[5](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_note-4) | [Fascia of Scarpa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascia_of_Scarpa) |
| [Deep fascia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_fascia) | [Fascia of muscles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascia_of_muscles) | This is the [dense fibrous connective tissue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dense_connective_tissue) that interpenetrates and surrounds the muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels of the body. | [Transversalis fascia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transversalis_fascia) |
| [Visceral fascia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visceral_fascia) | Visceral fascia, [parietal fascia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parietal_fascia) | This suspends the organs within their cavities and wraps them in layers of connective tissue [membranes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_membrane). | [Pericardium](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pericardium) |
## \[[edit](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fascia&action=edit§ion=2)\] 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](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_note-5)
The function of muscle fasciae is to reduce friction to minimize the reduction of muscular force. In doing so, fasciae allow muscles to glide over each other.[7](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_note-6)
## \[[edit](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fascia&action=edit§ion=3)\] See also
* [Fasciotomy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasciotomy)
* [Myofascial release](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myofascial_release)
## \[[edit](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fascia&action=edit§ion=4)\] References
1. **[^](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_ref-0)** "[fascia](http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands_split.jsp?pg=/ppdocs/us/common/dorlands/dorland/three/000038763.htm)" at _[Dorland's Medical Dictionary](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorland%27s_Medical_Dictionary)_
* ^ [_**a**_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_ref-Marieb-133_1-0) [_**b**_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_ref-Marieb-133_1-1) Marieb, Elaine Nicpon; Hoehn, Katja (2007). [_Human anatomy & physiology_](http://books.google.com/books?id=x1uEB68iitwC&pg=PA133). Pearson Education. p. 133. [ISBN](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number) [9780321372949](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780321372949).
* **[^](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_ref-sport-fitness-advisor_2-0)** ["Self Myofascial Release"](http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/self-myofascial-release.html). Retrieved 2010-08-17.
* **[^](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_ref-3)** Committee on Anatomical Termi, Federative. _Terminologia Anatomica: International Anatomical Terminology_. Thieme Stuttgart. pp. 33. [ISBN](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number) [3-13-114361-4](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-13-114361-4).
* **[^](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_ref-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](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number) [0-38798-752-5](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-38798-752-5).
* **[^](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_ref-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](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_object_identifier):[10.1016/j.mehy.2005.03.005](http://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.mehy.2005.03.005). [PMID](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PubMed_Identifier) [15922099](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15922099).
* **[^](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#cite_ref-6)** Faller, A; Schuenke, M (2004) _The Human Body_, Thieme, p 127
## \[[edit](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fascia&action=edit§ion=5)\] External links
| | |
| --- | --- |
| ![[Fascia__unknown_filename.2.png]] | Look up _**[fascia](http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Special:Search/fascia)**_ in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
* [Fascia Research](http://www.fasciaresearch.com/)
* _[lesson1layersofbody](http://mywebpages.comcast.net/wnor/lesson1layersofbody.htm)_ at [_The Anatomy Lesson_](http://home.comcast.net/~wnor/homepage.htm) by Wesley Norman ([Georgetown University](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown_University))
\[[show](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#)\][v](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Muscular_system) **·** [d](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Muscular_system) **·** [e](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Muscular_system&action=edit)[Muscular system](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscular_system) ([TA A04.0](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminologia_Anatomica), [GA 4.361](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subjects_in_Gray%27s_Anatomy:_IV._Myology#mechanics_of_muscle_.28Gray.27s_s102.29))
\[[show](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#)\][v](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Muscles_of_head) **·** [d](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Muscles_of_head) **·** [e](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Muscles_of_head&action=edit)[List of muscles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_muscles_of_the_human_body) of [head and neck](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_and_neck_anatomy): the [head](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_head) ([TA A04.1](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminologia_Anatomica), [GA 4.378](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subjects_in_Gray%27s_Anatomy:_IV._Myology#The_fasciae_and_muscles_of_the_head))
\[[show](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#)\][v](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Muscles_of_neck) **·** [d](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Muscles_of_neck) **·** [e](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Muscles_of_neck&action=edit)[List of muscles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_muscles_of_the_human_body) of [head and neck](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_and_neck_anatomy): the [neck](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neck) ([TA A04.2](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminologia_Anatomica), [GA 4.387](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subjects_in_Gray%27s_Anatomy:_IV._Myology#The_fasciae_and_muscles_of_the_anterolateral_region_of_the_neck))
\[[show](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#)\][v](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Muscles_of_thorax_and_back) **·** [d](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template_talk:Muscles_of_thorax_and_back&action=edit&redlink=1) **·** [e](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Muscles_of_thorax_and_back&action=edit)[List of muscles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_muscles_of_the_human_body) of [thorax](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorax) and [back](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back) ([TA A04.3–4](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminologia_Anatomica), [GA 4.397](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subjects_in_Gray%27s_Anatomy:_IV._Myology#The_fasciae_and_muscles_of_the_trunk))
\[[show](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#)\][v](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Muscles_of_abdomen) **·** [d](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Muscles_of_abdomen) **·** [e](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Muscles_of_abdomen&action=edit)[List of muscles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_muscles_of_the_human_body) of [abdominopelvic cavity](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdominopelvic_cavity) ([TA A04.5](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminologia_Anatomica), [GA 4.408](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subjects_in_Gray%27s_Anatomy:_IV._Myology#The_fasciae_and_muscles_of_the_trunk))
\[[show](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#)\][v](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Muscles_of_upper_limb) **·** [d](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Muscles_of_upper_limb) **·** [e](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Muscles_of_upper_limb&action=edit)[List of muscles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_muscles_of_the_human_body) of [upper limbs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_limb) ([TA A04.6](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminologia_Anatomica), [GA 4.432](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subjects_in_Gray%27s_Anatomy:_IV._Myology#The_fascia_and_muscles_of_the_upper_extremity))
\[[show](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/#)\][v](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Muscles_of_lower_limb) **·** [d](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Muscles_of_lower_limb) **·** [e](http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Muscles_of_lower_limb&action=edit)[List of muscles](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_muscles_of_the_human_body) of [lower limbs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_leg) ([TA A04.7](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminologia_Anatomica), [GA 4.465](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subjects_in_Gray%27s_Anatomy:_IV._Myology#The_muscles_and_fasciae_of_the_lower_extremity))