FASCIA. 159 



The strongest part of a muscle is its point of union with the 

 tendon, but the manner in which that union is effected is not 

 satisfactorily explained. According to some authorities, the 

 muscular fibres are prolonged into the connective tissue of the 

 tendon ; or, " the contractile fibre terminates in a rounded ex- 

 tremity which is buried in a corresponding depression in the 

 tendon" (Chauveau). The sarcolemma and the areolar tissue, 

 both of the fibre and tendon, are no doubt instrumental in 

 effecting the union. 



Tendons often send processes into the substance of the 

 muscle, which may extend throughout its length ; such pro- 

 cesses are described as tendinous intersections ; they also 

 appear to send small fibres into the substance of the bones to 

 which they are attached. Tendons vary in form, size, and 

 density, but all are either rounded or flattened. The former 

 are funicular, the latter aidoneurotic tendons ; in either form 

 their use is the same. They become attached to bones through 

 the medium of the periosteum, sometimes expanding to 

 strengthen its outer layer. 



FASCIA. 



Each group of muscles is invested and bound down by a strong 

 membranous expansion of white fibrous tissue, called fascia, 

 which is firmly connected with the bone. This ternri is however 

 applied to other membranous expansions, differing very materially 

 in strength, texture, and relations. For example, beloAV the 

 skin and panniculus there is a membranous expansion, which 

 forms a continuous covering over the whole body, composed 

 of connective tissue more or less condensed. Hence fasciae have 

 been divided into superficial, and deep or aponeurotic. 



Superficial fascia consists of cellular and elastic tissue, varying 

 in thickness in different regions of the body. Where the skin is 

 loose it is most distinct ; and sometimes it is inseparable from the 

 muscles and skin, as in the eyelids and lips. Its meshes may be 

 filled with adipose cells, or condensed so as to form a fibro-cellular 

 membrane destitute of fat. Its use is to connect and protect 

 the various structures it contacts, and to furnish a matrix for 

 blood-vessels ; the fat in the subcutaneous fascia helps to conserve 

 the animal heat, fat being a bad conductor. 



Aponeurotic fascia not only covers, supports, and binds down 

 the groups of muscles, but affords processes between them, and 

 becomes united to, and blended with, the periosteum. Some of 



