title: Histological Comparison of the Human Trunk Skin Creases: The Role of the Elastic Fiber Component.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Skin creases are features of major anatomical, morphological, surgical, and functional interest. This study focuses on the histological comparison of creases of the trunk and participation of the elastic fibers in their formation. The histological structure is a key consideration for the reconstructive planning of the relevant area and its knowledge may contribute in such direction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh cadaver specimens were collected from the inframammary (n = 15), infragluteal (n = 16), and inguinal creases (n = 14), the anterior axillary fold (n = 14), and the surrounding skin (n = 10). Specimens were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde. Collagen and muscle fibers were stained by Masson Trichrome and Van Gieson stains, reticular and collagen type III fibers by Reticulin stain, and elastic fibers by Verhoef and Orcein stains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Skin creases of the trunk present well-defined dense bundles of collagen fibers, creating a beehive pattern with broad attachment to the dermis and denser in deeper sites related to the fascia of the underlying muscle. The elastic fibers participate in the collagen pattern and radiate in a parallel pattern in the reticular dermis and in a perpendicular fashion in the papillary dermis. The skin surrounding the creases lacks such organization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Creases of the trunk are formed by well-organized collagen bundles in a beehive pattern, attached to the dermis and related to the underlying muscle fascia. The elastic fibers participate in this structure and radiate in a parallel fashion in the reticular dermis and perpendicularly in the papillary dermis.
authors.affiliation: Aretaeion Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus; Second Surgery Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mallouris
authors.affiliation: First Surgery Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece.
authors.forename: Despoina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kakagia
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Department, Iaso General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yiacoumettis
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Tzanio General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece.
authors.forename: Thivi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vasilakaki
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Iaso General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Aggeliki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drougou
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lambropoulou
authors.affiliation: Second Surgery Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece.
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simopoulos
authors.affiliation: Second Surgery Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece.
authors.forename: Alexandra K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tsaroucha
keywords: elastic fibers; infragluteal crease; inframammary; skin crease; skin fold