Elastic Fibres in the subcutaneous tissue: Is there a difference between superficial and muscular fascia? A cadaver study

Background: In last years the role of fascia in proprioception and pain has been confirmed in numerous papers, but the real structure of fasciae is not still entirely known. To date, many studies have evaluated the elastic fibres in arteries, ligaments, lungs, epidermis and dermis, but only two studies exist about the elastic fibres in the fasciae, and they did not distinguish between superficial (in the subcutaneous tissue) and deep/muscular fasciae. The aim of the study was to assess the percentage of elastic fibres between superficial and deep fascia. Materials and methods: Three full thickness specimens (proximal, middle and distal respectively) were taken from each of four regions of the thigh of three non-embalmed cadavers: the anterior (Ant), the lateral (Lat), the posterior (Post) and the medial (Med) aspect. Thus, a total of 12 specimens were collected from each analysed thigh and histological Weigert Van Gieson stains was performed. Three sections per specimen were considered for the morphometric analysis. Results: In all the specimens the superficial and deep fasciae were clearly recognizable. The difference in percentage of elastic fibres between superficial and deep fasciae in same region for all four was highly significant (p < 0.001). They are abundant in the superficial fascia than deep fascia. Conclusions: In the light of these findings is evident that the superficial (in the subcutaneous tissue) and deep fasciae have different elasticity. This difference may improve grading of fascial dysfunction in dermatological diseases as burns, scars and lymphedema to better plan treatments.