L10: ICRFR I

Question 1

Definition of fascia

Answer 1

• Latin for bandage. Sheet or band of fibrous tissues deep to skin and forms investment for muscles and various other organs

Question 2

Clinical importance of fascia

Answer 2

• Passageways formed by fascia allows infections to travel long distances
• Fascia effects immediate external environment of every living cells, so directly or indirectly influences metabolism of all cells
• Abnormal pressure or tension alters the diffusion of nutrients and elimination of wastes resulting in alterations of cell function
• Change to structure of fascia may alter / reduce all functions

Question 3

Functions of fascia

Answer 3

• 4 x Ps
• Postural: maintains upright posture, limits directs muscle motion, guides contraction and motion of muscles, distributes stress
• Protective: nerves and blood vessels
• Packaging: nerve, bone, muscle, organ
• Passageway: forms planes and thus passageways between structures, provides fluid for lubrication and movement of nutrients (also infection), fascia keeps veins open and widens them

Question 4

True / False. When subject to stress, previously ambiguous tissues do not develop directionality. What law is this referring to?

Answer 4

• False, does develop directionality. Wolff’s Law. Fascia retains memory of forces which have been inflicted on it through reorganization of tissue

Question 5

Responses of fascia to stress

Answer 5

1. Inflammatory changes: erythema, edema
   Elastic deformation: ability of fascia to recover to its original shape when the load is removed
2. Creep: if load is great and applied for a long period, fascia may not be able to recover its original shape/result in plastic deformation
3. Hysteresis: the difference in viscoelastic behavior (and energy loss), fascia has capacity to change when subjected to stress – this refers to roughly the time between elasticity and creep