title: Exchange and the mechanical properties of the skin: oncotic and hydrostatic forces control by blood supply and lymphatic drainage.
abstract: Unwounded healthy skin can survive several hours without oxygen. The rich blood supply of the skin is important for thermoregulation, mostly only above the waist. Why then, does the skin of even the big toe have a rich blood supply? That exchange requirements are more for fluid in support of turgor and that this process is essential for the mechanical properties of the skin is suggested. It is argued that the supposed richness of blood supply is not sufficient for wound healing, and thus a new organ, granulation tissue, has to be grown. However, granulation tissue is mechanically inappropriate for the protective mechanical function of the skin and must be completely removed before healing is complete.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, The Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ryan