Summary
A fascia (ˈfæʃ(i)ə; : fasciae ˈfæʃii or fascias; adjective fascial; from Latin: "band") is a generic term for macroscopic membranous bodily structures. Fasciae are classified as superficial, deep, visceral, and parietal, and further designated according to their anatomical location. There exists some controversy about what structures are considered "fascia", and how types of fascia should be classified. The two most common systems are: The one specified in the 1983 edition of Nomina Anatomica (NA 1983) The one specified in the 1997 edition of Terminologia Anatomica (TA 1997) Superficial fascia is the lowermost layer of the skin in nearly all of the regions of the body, that blends with the reticular dermis layer. It is present on the face, over the upper portion of the sternocleidomastoid, at the nape of the neck, and overlying the breastbone. It consists mainly of loose areolar, and fatty adipose connective tissue and is the layer that primarily determines the shape of a body. In addition to its subcutaneous presence, superficial fascia surrounds organs and glands, neurovascular bundles, and is found at many other locations where it fills otherwise unoccupied space. It serves as a storage medium of fat and water; as a passageway for lymph, nerve and blood vessels; and as a protective padding to cushion and insulate. Superficial fascia is present, but does not contain fat, in the eyelid, ear, scrotum, penis and clitoris. Due to its viscoelastic properties, superficial fascia can stretch to accommodate the deposition of adipose that accompanies both ordinary and prenatal weight gain. After pregnancy and weight loss, the superficial fascia slowly reverts to its original level of tension. Visceral fascia (also called subserous fascia) suspends the organs within their cavities and wraps them in layers of connective tissue membranes. Each of the organs is covered in a double layer of fascia; these layers are separated by a thin serous membrane. The outermost wall of the organ is known as the parietal layer The skin of the organ is known as the visceral layer.
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