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Related Experiment Videos

Intraepidermal nerves in human digital skin.

G E Novotny1, E Gommert-Novotny

  • 1Institute of Anatomy, University of Düsseldorf, Federal Republic of Germany.

Cell and Tissue Research
|October 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals that intraepidermal nerve fibers in human digital skin are more numerous than previously thought. These nerve fibers enter the epidermis and vary in diameter and branching patterns.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Dermatology
  • Histology

Background:

  • Intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENFs) are crucial for sensory perception.
  • Previous studies have reported varying densities and morphologies of IENFs in human skin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the morphology and density of IENFs in human glabrous digital skin.
  • To characterize the branching patterns and diameter of IENFs using a novel silver impregnation technique.

Main Methods:

  • A new silver impregnation method was employed to visualize IENFs.
  • Human glabrous digital skin samples were analyzed for nerve fiber characteristics.

Main Results:

  • IENFs were observed entering the epidermis without regional preference and extending into the stratum granulosum.
  • Nerve fibers exhibited non-varicose and varicose forms, with diameters ranging from 0.2 to 3 microns.
  • Axons showed diverse branching patterns, with some originating from larger axons and others associated with Meissner's corpuscles.
  • A high density of 57 nerves/mm² was found, exceeding recent reports but aligning with older studies.

Conclusions:

  • The novel silver impregnation method provides enhanced visualization of IENFs.
  • The findings suggest a higher density of IENFs in digital skin than recently reported.
  • The detailed morphology and branching patterns offer new insights into cutaneous innervation and sensory function.

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