Histological study of the deep fasciae of the limbs

Stecco, Carla; Porzionato, Andrea; Lancerotto, Luca; Stecco, Antonio; Macchi, Veronica; Ann Day, Julie; De Caro, Raffaele

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.04.041

« Previous Next »Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume 12, Issue 3 , Pages 225-230, July 2008

Histological study of the deep fasciae of the limbs

Carla Stecco, MD
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Padova, Via A Gabelli 65, 35127 Padova, Italy
Andrea Porzionato, MD
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Padova, Via A Gabelli 65, 35127 Padova, Italy
Luca Lancerotto, MD
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Padova, Via A Gabelli 65, 35127 Padova, Italy
Antonio Stecco, MD
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
Veronica Macchi, MD
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Padova, Via A Gabelli 65, 35127 Padova, Italy
Julie Ann Day, PT
- Centro Socio Sanitario dei Colli, Physiotherapy, Azienda Ulss 16, Padova, Italy
Raffaele De Caro, MD
- Section of Anatomy, Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Padova, Via A Gabelli 65, 35127 Padova, Italy
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +39498272327; fax: +39498272319.

Received 31 March 2008; received in revised form 4 April 2008; accepted 28 April 2008.

Summary

The aim of this study is to analyse the deep fasciae of limbs in order to evaluate the collagen and elastic fibre arrangement and the types of innervation.

Histological and immunohistochemical stains were performed in 72 specimens. The deep fascia of the limbs is a sheath presenting a mean thickness of 1mm, formed by two to three layers of parallel collagen fibre bundles. In the adjacent layers, they show different orientations. Each layer is separated from the adjacent one by loose connective tissue, permitting the sliding of the collagen layers. Nerve fibres were found in all specimens, while muscular fibres were evidenced only in one specimen.

The described structure permits the fasciae of the limbs to have a strong resistance to traction, even when exercised in different directions. The capacity of the different collagen layers to glide one on the other could be altered in cases of overuse syndrome, trauma, or surgery.

Keywords: Deep fascia, Fascia lata, Brachial fascia, Crural fascia, Proprioception