FASCIA. 159 



is called its origin; the other extremity attached to the more 

 movable structure, its insertion. The tendon of insertion is 

 often longer than that of origin, which is frequently rudimentary. 

 In some cases both extremities are equally movable. 



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 processes 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 aponeurotic 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 term is, however, 

 applied to other membranous expansions, differing very materially 

 in strength, texture, and relations. For example, below 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 w T ith 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 furaish a matrix for 



