The organ of form: towards a theory of biological shape

https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-1750(87)90035-2Get rights and content

Abstract

Cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) immediately surrounding them engage in reciprocal determinations. But the ECM is also a global structure because it is continuous throughout the body. We argue that this local-global articulation is a central element in the determination of an animal's form, and we show how it participates in all the other dimensions of animal life. Specific experimental implications and further consequences of this view are discussed.

References (17)

  • R. Auerbach et al.

    Science

    (1981)
  • A. Chevallier et al.

    Arch. dev. Biol.

    (1982)
  • P. Cloud et al.

    Science

    (1982)
  • W. D'Arcy Thompson

    On Growth and Form

    (1961)
  • I. Fidler et al.

    Science

    (1982)
  • J. Goguen et al.

    Int. J. gen. Syst.

    (1979)
  • E. Hay

    J. cell. Biol.

    (1981)
  • E. Hay
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (29)

  • Architecture of fascia and its adaptation to pathological conditions

    2020, Comparative Kinesiology of the Human Body: Normal and Pathological Conditions
  • A unifying neuro-fasciagenic model of somatic dysfunction - Underlying mechanisms and treatment - Part I

    2015, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
    Citation Excerpt :

    By investing each tissue at multiple hierarchical levels, the fascia embodies the element of structural interconnectedness around, within and between body constituents, whilst allowing simultaneous sliding and gliding motions. Since it appears to shape every body constituent, it has been referred to as both an ‘organ of form’ (Varela and Frenk, 1987) and as an ‘organ of innerness’ due to its phenomenological dimension of ‘in between’ the ‘outer’ (skin) and the ‘inner’ (visceral endothelium) boundaries of the body (Van der Wal, in preparation). Instead of consisting of different superimposed layers, gliding on each other, it has been proposed as a single architecture with various levels of form and complexity (Guimbertau, 2012).

  • Viscoelastic behavior of human fasciae under extension in manual therapy

    2007, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
    Citation Excerpt :

    It plays an important role in transmitting mechanical forces in human posture. Several forms of manual fascial therapies have been developed which aim to improve postural alignment and other expressions of musculoskeletal dynamics (Rolf, 1989; Varela and Frenk, 1987; Cantu and Gordin, 1992; Ward, 1993). The mechanical properties of ex vivo rat superficial fascia (subcutaneous tissue) under uniaxial tension have recently been investigated due to its potential importance in a variety of therapies involving mechanical stretch (Iatridis et al., 2003).

  • Structural integration - Developments in Ida Rolf's 'Recipe' - I

    2004, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
  • Fascial plasticity - A new neurobiological explanation: Part 1

    2003, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
  • A structural approach

    1998, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text