Fascia

Fibrous connective tissue that surrounds many structures in the body. One layer of the tissue, known as the superficial fascia, envelops the entire body just beneath the skin. Another layer, the deep fascia, encloses muscles, forming a sheath for individual muscles and separating them into groups; it also holds in place soft organs such as the kidneys. Thick fascia in the palm of the hand and sole of the foot have a cushioning, protective function.