title: Histological study of the deep fasciae of the limbs.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Section of Anatomy, Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stecco
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Porzionato
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lancerotto
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stecco
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Macchi
authors.forename: Julie Ann
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Caro
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D003094:Collagen; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005121:Extremities; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000166:cytology* / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology*; D009412:Nerve Fibers; D011434:Proprioception
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen