Fascia Is Not a System: A Critical Appraisal of Terminological Drift in Anatomical Literature

Terminology surrounding fascia has expanded considerably following renewed interdisciplinary interest in connective tissues, surgical anatomy, mechanotransduction, manual therapies, and movement science. Motivation for this publication arose from the observed disparity between formal anatomical nomenclature and widespread terminology usage. Commonly used expressions in current literature include "the fascial system" and "the superficial fascial system." Widespread adoption of such terminology has occurred with limited or no critical examination regarding its anatomical validity or its lack of consistency with internationally recognized anatomical nomenclature standards. This review critically evaluates the recurring classification of fascia as a "system" within scientific and clinical literature. Drawing upon established anatomical principles and the terminological frameworks promoted by the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists and the Federative International Programme for Anatomical Terminologies, it is argued that fascia does not satisfy the defining criteria associated with anatomical systems. Fascia demonstrates continuity across regional, structural, and functional boundaries, resisting reduction into discrete organ-based hierarchies. A narrative review methodology was employed to identify representative examples within peer-reviewed literature in which fascia was described as a "system" and analyzed in relation to accepted anatomical definitions and broader principles of biological organization. The paper further examines how repeated uncritical use of the term through publication and peer review has contributed to conceptual ambiguity in anatomy education, clinical communication, and fascia research. Consistent with the nomenclature principles and classifications recognized by the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists and its terminological frameworks, fascia should not be described as a "system".