Learning Outline

Fascial SystemMini Lesson

The body’s dynamic support

Introduction to the fascial system

Definitions

Fascia are the masses of fibrous connective tissue that can be seen without a microscope over and among the organs of the body.

• Fascia is Latin plural for “bands”
  • Fascis is singular (“band”)
  • In anatomy, we usually talk about “bands” so we almost alway use the plural form
    • Common usage allows “fascia” to be treated as either plural or singular. For example, “Fascia is strong.” is correct and “Fascia are strong.” is also correct.”

Fascia bind together the structures of the body into a network increasingly called the fascial system

• The fascial system is made up of organs that are bands and sheets of fibrous connective tissue, interspersed with blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics, and other structures
• Like blood vessels or nerves, elements of the fascia are also embedded in or are part of organs of other systems

Structure of fascia

Fascia is always formed mostly of a subtype of irregular connective tissue—sometimes a mixture of subtypes

Examples:

• Under the skin, superficial fascia is mostly areolar connective tissue and adipose tissue
• Around many muscles, deep fascia is dense, irregular fibrous connective tissue

Components:

• Fascia contains several types of protein fibers (mostly collagen & some elastin)
• The protein fibers are in a watery matrix called ground substance
  • Ground substance is gel-like and acts as a cushion
  • Ground substance can change from fluidlike to  more solidlike under varying conditions, thus making movement more mobile or more stable

In many locations, connective tissue fibers of the fascia extend into adjacent organs

• The fascial fibers intertwine with an organ’s fibers to form a strong bond

Some anatomists consider only the visible, macroscopic connective tissue bands and sheets of fibrous connective tissue as fascia

• However, the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the body is increasingly recognized as part of the fascia

Characteristics of the fascial system

Tensegrity

From architecture, tensegrity is a property of support frames (building skeletons) that have continuous tension (but discontinuous compression) in a balance that produces maximum support efficiency

For example, the architecture of R. Buckminster Fuller is characterized by tensegrity, in which the skeleton or supportive frame of a building is maintained through a balance of tensions throughout the network

In the body, tension of fascia on bones, muscles, and other structures provides support. This is like the tension of the strings that support the torso and limbs of a marionette puppet.

Dynamic

Fascia moves with the body

Depending on the situation, fascia changes in stiffness, tension, elasticity, fluidity/flow

 Three-dimensional

Superficial and deep fascia are interconnected with each other, creating a multidimensional network of support

More than the “classic” fascia around organs

• The fascial system is now thought to include ligaments, tendons, joint capsules, etc.

Integrated

Fascia is combined (integrated) with organs, tissues, cells (including cytoskeleton, by way of the ECM)

Where do we observe the integrating characteristic of fascia?

• Most obvious: connective network binding bones, muscles, ligaments
• • Forms the myofascial system (muscles and fascia acting together in systems)
  • Myofascial meridians, along which run “anatomy trains”
    • Anatomy trains are series of anatomical structures (fascia, muscles, bones) in succession, forming a long lineup—similar to cars lined up to form a train
      • The elements of a train all “pull together” and thus act as a functional unit
      • If one part of the train fails or “gets stuck,” then movements of the whole train are affected
    • Based on the concepts of Tom Myer in his book Anatomy Trains
  •  Force transmission
    • Force is transmitted by fascia along the myofascial meridians
    • The gel-like ground substance of fascia helps distribute force dynamically under different conditions
• Less obvious: soft organs, vessels, nerves

Integration with cells

• Integrins are membrane proteins that connect with fibers of the ECM, which in turn are connected to fibers within fascia
• The cytoskeleton elements with cells are also connected to integrins, thus further integrating fascia in the body
  • We can think of the body as “one big piece” thanks to fascia—not separate pieces easily disconnected from each other

Sensory functions

Sensory nerve fibers and receptors are integrated with (embedded in) fascia throughout the body

• This integrated system is sometimes called the neurofascial system
• The sensory nerves can easily detect changing conditions in large regions of the body

Senses mediated by the neurofascial system:

• Proprioception—sense of relative position and movement of body parts, including stretch
• Interoception—sense of our internal conditions (for example, hunger, thirst, temperature)
• Nociception—sense of pain

Fluid transmission

Flow of interstitial fluid (IF)

So-called new organ: the “interstitium”

• Is Anatomy Finished? | A Review of New Discoveries is a podcast episode that describes the recently discovered interstitium
• The interstitium may or may not become accepted as an “organ” but it’s main role is certain
  • The channels and spaces between fascia’s fibers are used as pipelines and reservoirs for interstitial fluid
  • Rapid movement of fluid is needed for:
    • Preventing damage when moving—and thus, pinching—the body
    • Shifting water to different areas of the body to maintain fluid homeostasis in all regions

Therapeutic substances can be injected into the fascia (for example, subcutaneous injections into the superficial fascia) and be transferred quickly to the blood stream or other parts of the fascial system

Wound healing

Fascia make up the immediate environment of most wounds in the body

• The fibrous nature of fascia provides a web or matrix in which facilitate healing processes

Cell mobilization

• Fibroblasts present in fascia can quickly migrate to an injury site to remodel the fibrous tissue at an injury site
• The fluid ground substance of fascia can facilitate the rapid migration of clotting factors and immune cells to an injury site

Support and protection during healing

• Remodeled fibrous structure at an injury site can form a supportive scaffold to facilitate the activity of immune cells and other cells involved in healing
• Blood vessels within fascia can supply cells and materials needed for healing of tissues
• Nerve fibers in fascia can regenerate to “reconnect” newly formed tissue as repair occurs

Scar tissue maturation

• Fascial fibroblasts differentiate into muscle-like myofibroblasts that help contract and strengthen scar tissue in and around a wound, thus preventing further injury

Physiological phenomena

A number of key physiological mechanisms rely on the structure and function of fascia; examples follow

Signal transduction—the process of converting signals (such as nerve signals)

• Interwoven fascia fibers transmit mechanical forces over long distances, which triggers cell responses through integrin connectors
• Fascia nerves convert nerve stimuli into neural signals
• Fascia ground substance facilitates the movement of  signaling molecules and motile cells to their targets

Embryological development

• Fascia appear early in development, surrounding all early cells with a fibrous gel
• Fascia form a fibrous network that provides structural support for tissue organization during development
• Fascia guide the movement of embryological tissues and organs as they develop folds, compartments, and boundaries

Piezoelectric effect

• This effect occurs when mechanical force causes an electrical voltage response
• Collagen fibers have piezoelectric properties, and thus allow fascia to general electrical signals when stretched or compressed
• Voltage responses can act as signals to other tissues
• Voltage responses may facilitate wound healing and may have therapeutic effects by stimulating fibroblasts and other cells
  • This may be a key mechanism in therapeutic effects of massage, adjustments, acupuncture, tai chi, and many other fascia-based strategies
  • This may also explain health risks of fascia that are constricted, have reduced mobility, or are otherwise compromised

Last updated: February 14, 2025 at 14:23 pm