Langer's lines

Langer's lines

Langer's lines, sometimes called cleavage lines, is a term used to define the direction within the human skin along which the skin has the least flexibility.

History

These lines correspond to the alignment of collagen fibers within the dermis. They were first given detailed attention in 1861 by Austrian anatomist Karl Langer (1819-1887), [Karl Langer, "Zür Anatomie und Physiologie der Haut. Über die Spältbarkeit der Cutis" (1861)] cite web |url=http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6418339-description.html |title=Method and apparatus for determining the lines of optimal direction for surgical cuts in the human skin - US Patent 6418339 |format= |work= |accessdate=] though he cited the surgeon Baron Dupuytren as being the first to recognise the phenomenon. Langer punctured numerous holes at short distances from each other into the skin of a cadaver with a tool that had a circular-shaped tip, and noticed that the resultant punctures in the skin had ellipsoidal shapes. From this testing he observed patterns and was able to determine "line directions" by the longer axes of the ellipsoidal holes.

Uses

Knowing the direction of Langer's lines within a specific area of the skin is important for surgical operations, particularly cosmetic surgery. Usually, a surgical cut is carried out in the direction of Langer's lines, and incisions made parallel to Langer's lines generally heal better and produce less scarring. Sometimes the exact direction of these lines are unknown, because in some regions of the body there are differences between different individuals. Directional changes of Langer's lines have been known to occur within the course of a person's lifetime.

The orientation of stab wounds relative to Langer's lines can have a considerable impact upon the presentation of the wound.cite web |url=http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/FORHTML/FOR028.html |title=Forensic Pathology |format= |work= |accessdate=]

Alternatives

Langer's lines differ from Kraissl's lines in that while Langer's lines were defined in cadavers,cite journal |author=Wilhelmi BJ, Blackwell SJ, Phillips LG |title=Langer's lines: to use or not to use |journal=Plast. Reconstr. Surg. |volume=104 |issue=1 |pages=208–14 |year=1999 |month=July |pmid=10597698 |doi= |url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0032-1052&volume=104&issue=1&spage=208] Kraissl's lines have been defined in living individuals.

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Langer's lines — normal permanent skin creases. Incisions parallel to Langer s lines heal well and are less visible. C. R. von E. Langer (1819 87), Austrian anatomist …   Medical dictionary

  • Langer's lines — normal permanent skin creases. Incisions parallel to Langer s lines heal well and are less visible [R. von E. Langer (1819–87), Austrian anatomist] …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Langer — is a family name. For the etymology, meaning, and pronunciation of the name, and for the Hiberno English slang word, see Wiktionary.People with the family name Langer include: * A. J. Langer an American actress * Albert Langer an Australian… …   Wikipedia

  • Langer axillary arch lines muscle — Lan·ger axillary arch, lines, muscle (lahngґər) [Carl Ritter von Edenberg von Langer, Austrian anatomist, 1819–1887] see under arch, line, and muscle …   Medical dictionary

  • Lines per inch — Diese Seite bedarf einer Überarbeitung. Näheres ist auf der Diskussionsseite, sowie der QS Physik ( Immer noch schlecht aber hier out of scope ) angegeben. Hilf mit, ihn zu verbessern, und entferne anschließend diese Markierung …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Langer — Carl (Ritter von Edenberg), Austrian anatomist, 1819–1887. See L. arch, L. lines, under line, L. muscle. Leonard O., American physician. See L. Saldino syndrome …   Medical dictionary

  • Langer lines — cleavage l s …   Medical dictionary

  • Despite Straight Lines — Japanese release. Studio album by Marilyn …   Wikipedia

  • Mads Langer — Not to be confused with Mads Johansen Lange. Mads Langer Mads Langer performs acoustically in Amsterdam, 22 December 2010 Background information Born 1984 …   Wikipedia

  • Clive Langer — (born 19 June 1954 in Hampstead) is a British record producer active from the mid 1970s onwards. He usually works with Alan Winstanley. He composed the music for the films Still Crazy and Brothers of the Head. Prior to his record producing career …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”