. 2012 Sep;56(3):179–191.

Table 1.

Fascial categories: function, terms, and histological features

Fascial category		Function	(Examples) Terminologia Anatomica⁴	Terminologia Histologica²⁴	Histological features¹⁶,³⁷

Linking	Dynamic	– role in movement and stability – critical to myofascial force transmission – creates significant pretension in musculature	Fasciae of muscles (investing layer)& fasciae of individual muscles: Pectoral fascia Supraspinatus fascia Deltoid fascia	Dense regular parallel ordered unidirectional connective tissue proper	Collagen types: I, XII, XIV Actin-myosin filaments Pacinian corpsules, Free nerve endings
			Fasciae of trunk: Thoracolumbar fascia Diaphragmatic fascia Iliopsoas fascia
			Fasciae of limbs/membrorum Iliotibial tract Axillary fascia

	Passive	– maintains continuity, passive force transmission – proprioceptive communication throughout the body	Fasciae of muscles (muscle sheath) Rectus sheath	Dense regular woven connective tissue Multidirectional parallel ordered connective tissue	Collagen types: I, III, XII, XIV Elastin Golgi tendon organs, Pacinian & Ruffini’s corpuscles
			Head & Neck Cervical fascia Carotid sheath Ligamentum nuchae Ligamentum flavum
			Fasciae of limbs/membrorum Intermuscular septae Anterior talofibular ligament
			Aponeuroses Erector spinae aponeurosis Bicipital aponeurosis Plantar aponeurosis
			Tendinous arches Muscular & vascular spaces/lacunae Iliopectineal arch Tendinous arch of soleus

Fascicular		– provides myofascial force transmission & proprioceptive feedback for movement control – maintains protection for nerves and vessels – allows vascular sheaths to be in continuity with adventitia	Intramuscular & extramuscular fasciae. Neurovascular sheaths	Loose connective tissue Dense regular multidirectional parallel ordered connective tissue Dense irregular connective tissue	Collagen types: I, III, IV, V, XII, XIV Golgi tendon organs
			Endomysium Perimysium Epimysium Endotendon Peritendon Paratendon Perichondrium Endosteum Periosteum
			Endoneurium Perineurium Epineurium

Compression		– provides stocking, compression and tension compartmental effects – influences venous return – enhances proprioception, muscular efficiency and coordination	Fasciae of limbs/membrorum Brachial fascia Antebrachial fascia Dorsal fascia of hand Fascia lata Crural fascia Dorsal fascia of foot	Dense regular woven connective tissue Multidirectional parallel ordered connective tissue	Collagen type I Elastin Ruffini’s corpuscles

Separating		– compartmentalizes organs and body regions to maintain structural functions – promotes sliding and reduces friction during motion – responds to stretch and distention – provides physical support and shock absorption – limits the spread of infection	Parietal Fascia Parietal pleura Fibrous pericardium Endothoracic fascia Parietal peritoneum Endoabdominal fascia Endopelvic fascia	Loose connective tissue Dense irregular fusocellular connective tissue	Collagen types: III, V, VII Extracellular matrix: reticular and elastic fibers Reticular fibers provide a cellular framework Elastin Pacinian and Ruffini’s corpuscles
			Visceral fascia Meninges Visceral pleura Serous pericardium Visceral peritoneum Visceral abdominal fascia Visceral pelvic fascia
			Extraserosal fascia Sternopericardial ligaments Bronchopericardial membrane Pulmonary ligaments Extraperitoneal fascia
			Investing fascia Subcutaneous tissue of abdomen Membranous layer of perineum