fasci-, fascio-, fasc-, fascia-
(Latin: band, bandage; bundle, bunch; used in the extended sense of "pertaining to the fascia", a band or sheet of fibrous tissue providing a subcutaneous covering for various parts of the body)
It includes the muscular fascia which envelops the subclavius and pectoralis minor muscles and the strong membrane (costocoracoid membrane) formed in the interval between them, and the suspensory ligament of the axilla.
The clavipectoral fascia (and the muscles it envelopes) constitute the deep anterior wall of the axilla (armpit area).
The fasciae vary in thickness and density and in the amounts of fat, collagenous fiber, elastic fiber, and tissue fluids which they contain.
Three kinds of fasciae are deep fascia, subcutaneous fascia, and subserous fascia; all of which are located in this fasci- unit.
2. The manner in which something is bound up or fastened.
3. In botany, an abnormal flattening or coalescence of stems, as in broccoli.
2. One of the parts of a book published in separate sections; also called fascicule.
3. In botany, a bundle or cluster of stems, flowers, or leaves.
Fasciculations can occur in normal individuals without an associated disease or condition, or as a result of illness; such as, muscle cramps, nerve diseases, and metabolic imbalances.
Persistent fasciculations with weakness in the affected muscle can be diagnosed as damage to, or a disease, of the nerve cells in the spine which control the muscle or nerve fibers that connect the spinal nerves to the muscle.
One of the ailments of the disorder of fasciculations are "motor neuron diseases" in which groups of nerves that control muscular activities degenerate within the brain and spinal cord; resulting in weakness and atrophy (wasting away) of the muscles.
The fasciculation of the heart muscle is known as "fibrillation".