The compartment syndrome is a dysfunction of the blood circulation in the muscle compartments. A muscle compartment consists of several functionally joined muscle groups that are enclosed by a membrane made of firm connective tissue (muscle fascia). Inside the compartment there are also blood vessels and nerves. Since the muscle fascia is not very flexible, a swelling inside the muscle compartments caused by lack of space will lead to increased tissue pressure in the compartment so that nerves and blood vessels are constricted. The result of the compartment syndrome is an undersupply of oxygen in the muscles.