Relevance of Fascia

Question 1

Connective tissue

Answer 1

It supports and binds other tissues
Regular - tendons, ligaments, joint capsules
Irregular - fascia

Question 2

Fascia

Answer 2

“bandage”; it unites all aspects of the body– “ a packing system and organ system cushion whose cellular composition suggests metabolic activity and immune surveillance”.

Question 3

How is fascia a CT system?

Answer 3

a) Has complete blood supply, fluid drainage, and innervations and as such is the the largest organ in the body.
b) Is composed of irregularly arranged fibrous element of varying densities.
c) Is involved in tissue support, protection, nourishment, cushioning, resilience and healing of the systems the fascia surrounds.

Question 4

What can you find in the ground substance?

Answer 4

myofibroblasts, macrophages, laminin, integrins

Question 5

What are the four layers of fascia?

Answer 5

1. Outermost layer (Pannicular Fascia /Superficial Fascia)–the superficial layer that surrounds the entire body, has a highly variable fat content.
2. Deep fascia (Axial or investing Fascia) – the internal layer, forms epimysium of skeletal muscle, periosteum of bone, peritendon of tendon. Derived from somatic mesenchyme. Provides a layer of support and resilience but also provides a layer that allows blood vessels, fluids, chemical mediators, to pass through, as opposed to passing through more dense muscle tissue.
3. Third fascial layer (Meningeal Fascia) - surrounds the nervous system.
4. Fourth fascial layer (Visceral Fascia/Splanchnic Fascia) – the most complex layer, surrounds the viscera. Extends from the cranial base into the pelvic cavity and surrounds the body cavities. Is a conduit for neurovascular and lymphatic bundles.

Question 6

Meningeal fascia

Answer 6

surrounds nervous system, derived from somatic and cephalic mesoderm

Question 7

Visceral fascia

Answer 7

derived splancnic mesoderm

Question 8

Collagen

Answer 8

Produced by fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, epithelial cells (epithelial mesenchymal transition-fibroblasts formed from epithelial cells), activated monocytes; strength.

Question 9

Elastin

Answer 9

synthesized intracellularly by fibroblasts and assembled in extracellular matrix. Extreme distensibility, resistance, and recoil.

Question 10

Laminin and Fibronectin

Answer 10

Glycoprotein molecules secreted from fibrocytes.
Bind the cells within ground substance to the fibrous matrix of connective tissue. Bind with collagen and bind with integrins.

Question 11

Integrins

Answer 11

Adhesion molecules located on cell membranes.
These molecules bind to laminin and fibronectin, and thus connects cells to fibrous network.
Initiate signaling for internal metabolic cellular changes in response to external mechanical changes. This process is called Mechanotransduction.

Question 12

Components of Ground Substance of Fascia

Answer 12

Cells: Fibroblasts , myofibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells. Cytokines: TGF, TNF.