1. Forms the intermuscular septa separating functionally different group of muscles into separate compartments.
2. Covers each muscle as epimysium which sends in the septa to enclose each muscle fasciculus known as perimysium. From the perimysium septa pass to enclose each Muscle fiber. These fine septa are the endomysium. Through all these connective tissue septa, e.g. epimysium, perimysium and endomysium, arterioles, capillaries, venules, lymphatics and nerves traverse to reach each muscle fibred.
3. Deep fascia covers each nerve as epineurium, each nerve fascicle as perineurium and individual nerve fibered as endoneurium. These connective tissue coverings support the nerve fibers and carry capillaries and lymphatics.
4. Forms sheaths around large arteries, e.g. carotid sheath, axillary sheath. The deep fascia is dense around the artery and rather loose around the vein to give an allowance for the vein to distend.
5. Modified to form the capsule, synovial membrane and bursae in relation to the joints.
6. Forms tendon sheaths wherever tendons cross over a joint. This mechanism prevents wear and tear of the tendon. In the region of palm and sole it is modified to form aponeuroses, e.g. palmar and plantar aponeuroses which afford protection to the underlying-structures. It also forms septa between various muscles. These septa are specially well developed in the calf muscles of lower limb. The contraction of calf muscles in the tight sleeve of deep fascia helps in pushing the venous blood and lymph towards the ‘heart. Thus the deep fascia helps in venous and lymphatic return from the lower limb.
7. In the forearm and leg, the deep fascia is modified to form the interosseous membrane, which keeps:
The two bones at optimum distance.
Increases surface area for attachment of muscles.
Transmits weight from one bone to other.
