Anatomical study of subcutaneous adipofascial tissue: a concept of the protective adipofascial system (PAFS) and lubricant adipofascial system (LAFS)

Abstract

The subcutaneous adipofascial tissue over the entire body was radiographically and macroscopically investigated in 20 fresh and embalmed cadavers. The subcutaneous adipofascial tissue was made up of two adipofascial layers. Because the superficial layer forms a solid structure and is thought to protect against external forces, the adipofascial system formed by the solid structure was named the "protective adipofascial system (PAFS)". Because the deep layer forms a mobile layer and is thought to lubricate musculoskeletal movement, the adipofascial system formed by the mobile structure was named "lubricant adipofascial system (LAFS)". By classifying subcutaneous adipofascial tissue by its functional characteristics, we found we could understand the subcutaneous adipofascial structure over the entire body well.