Abstract
Quantitative morphological studies of the healthy epidermis are essential in providing a range of parameter estimates that can be considered within the range of normality. Stereology is a set of statistical tools that provides potentially unbiased and precise estimates of 3-dimensional tissue characteristics from 2-dimensional sections. We set out to establish reference values for the volume of the viable epidermis contained within a four-millimetre punch biopsy (V epi), the volume of the stratum corneum (V SC) and the surface area of the dermo-epidermal junction(A DEJ) in 4 predetermined body regions by use of stereology. Four-millimetre punch biopsies were taken from 20 freshly diseased corpses, fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. V epi, V SC and A DEJ were established stereologically for all 4 body locations followed by pairwise comparison of means after Bonferroni correction. V epi was significantly larger in the sole compared to all other body locations (p < 0.01). Furthermore, linear regression analysis showed a strong linear relationship between V epi and V SC in the sole (r = 0.70). Our results suggest that the viable layers of the epidermis might also serve a mechanical function, either directly or by providing the stratum corneum with keratinocytes to support the hyperkeratosis in the weight-bearing parts of the skin.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
---|---|
Sider (fra-til) | 131-139 |
Antal sider | 9 |
Tidsskrift | Dermatology |
Vol/bind | 223 |
Udgave nummer | 2 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 1 nov. 2011 |