Fascia 101

According to Merriam-Webster, the latin word fascia or fasciae means a sheet of connective tissue covering or binding together body structures (such as muscles) (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fascia)   

Fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place. The tissue does more than provide internal structure; fascia has nerves that make it almost as sensitive as skin. When stressed, it tightens up.  Although fascia looks like one sheet of tissue, it’s actually made up of multiple layers with liquid in between. (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/muscle-pain-it-may-actually-be-your-fascia) 

These bands or sheaths of connective tissue in our body go from the very top of our head, to the tips of our toes that helps to stabilize, enclose and help with movement of our body structures as well as holding structures in their place.   New research has shown that fascia is a continuous 3 dimensional collagen matrix that is elastic, fluid and viscous.  It inter-penetrates and supports tissues, organs and muscles, is a communications network within the body and may be considered our largest sensory organ. (Fascia Advancement Academy, PRF 101-4)

We have multiple layers of fascia in the body.  The superficial fascia is between the skin and the underlying organs.  Deep Fascia that is a strong fibrous framework full of dense connective tissue.  This Deep fascia is connected to things such as tendons and ligaments.   The Subserous Fascia lies between the serous membrane ( a thin membrane that lines the internal body cavities and organs such as the heart, lungs, and abdominal cavity) and the Deep Fascia. 

Types of Fascia

Structural fascia connects our external environment with our internal mechanisms such as thermo-receptors, pressure-receptors and interstitial fluid.  

Inter-structural fascia if found throughout every structure of the body providing support,  stability, balance and proprioception (perception or awareness of the position and movement of the body).

Spinal Fascia protects the brain and spinal cord, and provides it with nutrition and lubrication.

Visceral Fascia provides support, protection and lubrication between tissues. 

Spermatic Fascia is a bi-layered covering the testis;  both layers are derived from abdominal muscle or fascia. Physical stimuli, such as scratching and cold, cause the spermatic fascia to contract and elevate the testicle within the scrotum, a reaction defined as cremasteric reflex.