membranous layer

{{Short description|Deepest layer of subcutaneous tissue}}

{{Infobox anatomy

| Name = Membranous layer

| Latin = stratum membranosum

| Image =

| Caption =

| Image2 =

| Caption2 =

| Precursor =

| System =

| Artery =

| Vein =

| Nerve =

| Lymph =

}}

The membranous layer or stratum membranosum is the deepest layer of subcutaneous tissue. The basement membrane separates the membranous layer from the dermis. It is a fusion of fibres into a homogeneous layer below the adipose tissue, for example, superficial to muscular fascias.{{cite book|title=Lexique illustré d'anatomie Feneis|author=Wolfgang Dauber|others=Pierre Bourjat|publisher=Flammarion|year=2007|isbn=9782257122506|language=fr}}

It is considered a fascia by some sources, but not by others. However, prominent areas of the membranous layer are called fascias; these include the fascia of Scarpa in the abdomen and the fascia of Colles in the perineum.{{Cite journal

| doi = 10.1007/s00276-006-0142-8

| pmid = 17061033

| year = 2006

| last2 = Roshier

| last3 = Al-Shboul

| last5 = Harris

| last4 = Dharap

| pages = 606–619

| issue = 6| first4 = A.| first3 = Q.| first2 = A.| first5 = P.

| title = The membranous layer of superficial fascia: evidence for its widespread distribution in the body

| volume = 28

| journal = Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy

| author1 = Abu-hijleh

| s2cid = 32656684

}}