Distribution map of collagen fiber orientation in a whole calf skin.

Abstract

It is important to obtain information about the collagen fiber orientation in biological fibrous tissues such as human and animal skins because the collagen fiber orientation in the skins may closely relate to the motional functions of the body. However, no reports are yet available on the distribution of collagen fiber orientation in a whole skin. The microwave method recently developed by the author was applied for giving the distribution of collagen fiber orientation. A map representing the distribution of collagen fiber orientation was obtained for a leather sheet prepared from the entire skin of a calf. It was found that the direction of collagen fiber orientation was, on an average, parallel to the calf's spinal column and limbs, corresponding to the direction perpendicular to that of skin motions due to eating and walking, and that the degree of orientation was large in the parts where the skin motions were marked. These findings suggest that the distribution map of fiber orientation in calf leather significantly affects the motional functions of its different parts and also hopefully gives useful information for performing an appropriate transplant of skins.