Fascia

About the Fascia

Fascia is a continuous network of connective tissue, made largely of collagen, that surrounds and interconnects muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and organs. Superficial fascia lies beneath the skin and contains fat, blood vessels, and nerves. Deep fascia is a denser layer that wraps muscles, divides the limbs into compartments, and forms structures such as the iliotibial band on the outer thigh and the thoracolumbar fascia of the back. Visceral fascia suspends and supports organs within the body cavities. Fascia transmits forces between muscles, allows them to glide relative to each other, and provides pathways for vessels and nerves. Because deep fascia does not stretch readily, swelling within a closed compartment after injury can raise pressure enough to cut off blood supply, a surgical emergency called compartment syndrome. Plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the thick fascia on the sole of the foot, is a common cause of heel pain, and necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but severe infection that spreads along fascial planes.