Measurement of the thermal properties of human skin. A review.
The effective use of techniques to detect and interpret surface and subsurface temperature patterns depends upon the thermal and electromagnetic properties of the tissues under examination. A review is made of the existent data concerned with the thermal characteristics of skin. The thermal conductivity, k, and thermal inertia, kpc, as measured as a function of local temperature are presented. The radiation properties of the skin are presented as a function of wavelength. It is concluded that the information currently available about the thermal properties and their normal variation with body site, skin color, and age is quite limited.
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013552:Swine; D013814:Thermal Conductivity