CHAPTER IV. 



ON THE FASCIAE. 



FASCIA (fascia, a bandage,) is the name assigned to laminae of 

 various extent and thickness, which are distributed through the dif- 

 ferent regions of the body, for the purpose of investing or protecting 

 the softer and more delicate organs. From a consideration of their 

 structure, these fasciae may be arranged in three classes : cellular 

 fasciae, cellule-fibrous fasciae, and tendino-fibrous fasciae. 



The cellular fascia is best illustrated in the common subcutaneous 

 investment of the entire body, the superficial fascia. This structure 

 is situated immediately beneath the integument over every part of 

 the frame, and is the medium of connexion between that layer and 

 the deeper parts. It is composed of cellular tissue containing in its 

 areolae a considerable abundance of adipose vesicles. The fat, being 

 a bad conductor of caloric, serves to retain the warmth of the body ; 

 while it forms at the same time a yielding tissue, through which the 

 minute vessels and nerves may pass to the papillary layer of the 

 skin, without incurring the risk of obstruction from injury or pres- 

 sure upon the surface. By dissection, the superficial fascia may be 

 separated into two layers, between which are found the superficial 

 or cutaneous vessels and nerves ; as, the superficial epigastric artery, 

 the saphenous veins, the radial and ulnar veins, the superficial 

 lymphatic vessels, also the cutaneous muscles, as the platysma 

 myoides, orbicularis palpebrarum, sphincter ani, &c. In some situ- 

 ations where the deposition of fat would have been injurious to the 

 functions of the part, the cells of the cellular fascia are moistened 

 by a serous exhalation, analogous to the secretion of serous mem- 

 branes, as in the eyelids and scrotum. 



The cellulo-fibrous fascia appears to result from a simple condens- 

 ation of cellular tissue deprived of its fat, and intermingled with 

 strong fibres disposed in various directions, so as to constitute an 

 inelastic membrane of considerable strength. Of this structure is 

 the deep fascia of the neck, some of the fasciae of the cavities of the 

 trunk, as the thoracic and transversalis fasciae, and the sheaths of 

 vessels. 



The tendino-fibrous fascia is the strongest of the three kinds of 

 investing membrane ; it is composed of strong tendinous fibres, run- 

 ning parallel with each other, and connected by other fibres of the 

 same kind passing in different directions. When freshly exposed, 

 it is brilliant and nacreous, and is tough, inelastic, and unyielding. 

 In the limbs it forms the deep fascia, enclosing and forming distinct 





