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Subcutaneous fascial bands--a qualitative and morphometric analysis
1Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America. weihuil@gmail.com
Plos One
|September 21, 2011
Summary
Subcutaneous fascial bands form an interconnected network linking skin to muscle, often encasing blood vessels. Their quantity and thickness vary by body location, potentially reflecting mechanical forces.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Subcutaneous (SQ) fascial bands are common in ultrasound imaging.
- Their functional roles and structural characteristics are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the morphological features of SQ fascial bands.
- To systematically evaluate these bands using image analysis and morphometric measurements.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasound imaging was performed on 28 healthy volunteers at the upper arm, thigh, and lower leg.
- Image analysis quantified SQ fascial band area, number, thickness, and SQ layer thickness.
- SQ spatial coherence was calculated.
Main Results:
- Fascial bands formed a network connecting dermis, epimysium, and encasing blood vessels.
- Thigh and calf showed greater band area than the arm; band quantity and thickness varied by location.
- SQ zone thickness correlated with thinner fascial bands; calf exhibited higher spatial coherence.
Conclusions:
- SQ fascial bands act as structural bridges, mechanically linking skin, SQ layer, and muscle.
- This network encases vessels, potentially influencing blood flow.
- Fascial band characteristics may indicate regional mechanical forces.
