title: Two-dimensional fourier analysis of electron micrographs of human skin for quantification of the collagen fiber organization in the dermis.
abstract: Two-dimensional (2-D) Fourier analysis was used to quantify the structural organization of collagen fibers in the dermis of the human skin. The 2-D Fourier spectra of electron micrographs of collagen fibers contained large amplitude Fourier components (1 fundamental and 3 harmonic peaks), representing the predominant structural parameter of the fibers, the center-to-center spacing of collagen fibrils. The average center-to-center spacing of the collagen fibrils was found from the position of the peaks. For a normal fiber of reticular dermis, this spacing was 116 nm. The fibril diameter appeared to modulate the peak heights.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vaezy
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milaninia
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen