Langer's lines
Langer's lines
Langer's lines, also known as cleavage lines, are topographical lines drawn on a diagram of the human body. They were first described by the Austrian anatomist Karl Langer (1819–1887). These lines represent the natural orientation of collagen fibers in the dermis, and are generally parallel to the orientation of the underlying muscle fibers.
Pronunciation: LANG-erz lines
Etymology: Named after Karl Langer, an Austrian anatomist who first described these lines in the 19th century.
Description
Langer's lines are of considerable importance in surgery, particularly in plastic surgery, as incisions made parallel to them heal more efficiently and produce less scarring. This is due to the alignment of the collagen fibers, which when cut along, rather than across, produce less tension and thus less scarring.
Related Terms
- Dermis: The layer of skin beneath the epidermis that contains connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
- Collagen: The main structural protein in the extracellular space in the various connective tissues in the body.
- Plastic Surgery: A surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction, or alteration of the human body.
- Karl Langer: An Austrian anatomist who first described Langer's lines.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Langer's lines
- Wikipedia's article - Langer's lines
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