A new method for scanning electron microscopic visualization of dermal elastic fibres.
Autoclaving sections of dermis for 8 h followed by fixation, dehydration and xylol-air drying yields a pure preparation of elastic fibres for scanning electron microscopy which retains the native architecture of this component. Elastic fibres were intertwined in a complex fashion with numerous branches. Fibres were predominantly cylindrical in the upper dermis and became larger and more elliptical in the deeper dermis. This method produces a means to study of organization of elastic fibres in a variety of disorders in which dermal changes are prominent.
D000328:Adult; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004549:Elastin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D004549:Elastin