What is the term for a band or sheet of fibrous connective tissue that covers, supports, and separates muscle?

• A. Fascia
• B. Tendon
• C. Ligament
• D. Epimysium

Answer: (A)

Fascia is the fibrous connective tissue that forms bands and sheets around and between muscles, helping to cover, support, and separate them into compartments. It exists as deep fascia that wraps individual muscles and muscle groups, as well as superficial fascia just under the skin. This connective tissue provides a framework for nerves and blood vessels, helps transmit force during movement, and reduces friction between adjacent structures. The other terms describe different structures: a tendon connects muscle to bone to transmit force; a ligament connects bone to bone; the epimysium is the outer layer that directly surrounds a single muscle and is itself a part of the fascia system.