Structure & function of fascia Flashcards
what is fascia?
term used to describe sheath/sheet wrapping tissue that surrounds deep structures of the body
what is fascia made of?
connective tissue (all fascia is connective tissue but not all connective tissue is fascia)
what is fascia divided into?
deep (investing)
superficial (often called subcutaneous tissue)
what is structure of superficial fascia?
-loose connective tissue
- collagen & elastic fibres
- forms 3D network of dense irregular tissue & within meshwork you get fatty tissue deposits
- also has sweat glands, blood vessels & lymphatic vessels
what is structure if deep (investing) fascia?
- dense organised connective tissue
- devoid of adipose tissue (no fatty tissue)
what is distribution & thickness of superficial fascia?
varies in thickness as depends on persons nutritional state - usually lots on thighs, waist and not as much on back of hand etc)
varies in distribution depending on sexes - females accumulates in thigh, breasts etc and male, in abdominal region etc)
where is deep fascia found?
almost everywhere (tends to lack around face)
- investing fascia wrap around deep structures like skeletal muscle and in limbs from thick sheets called intramusculo septae and from divisions between groups of muscles and become much thicker in areas like wrist & ankle which hold tendons in place
what are general functions of fascia?
- packing & insulating
active in:
=Thermoregulation (insulation)
=Protective padding
=Support for tissues / organs (superfascia in pelvis help support pelvic organs)
=Reduces friction
=Transmits mechanical force (helps transmit force from skeletal muscle to other parts of body)
=Proprioceptive feedback (automatic knowing of what does what in body - how you move)
=Myofascial system (connection between muscle&fascia)
why are intermuscle septae important for infection?
they’re the deep fascia that go and separate muscles into compartments and these compartments help contain infection
what is fasciotomy and when is it needed?
it’s to relive pressure in an emergency by opening up deep fascia to try relieve pressure
= needed when increased pressure due to swelling of tissue or increase in fluid, causes pressure on muscles & nerves
what is plantar fasciitis?
painful disorder of planatar fascia where muscles along plantar of foot and up toward calf sore- inferomedial heel pain is result of inflammation or degenerative changes in plantar fascia
what is fascial fibrosis?
similair to scarring as fascial degeneration/thickening and excess fascia deposited - pulls fingers together by thickening & contracting
what clinical signs suggest musculoskeletal conditions?
- myofascial pain syndrome
- pain felt at different locations that where it originates (due to nerve pathways, connections)
- radiating pain
*can be chronic or acute and often resolve spontaneously
