Background
Few studies have characterized reference values of normal human skin microanatomy parameters.
Objective
To quantify histologic measurements of epidermal thickness (ET), melanocyte density (MD), hair follicle density (HFD), and eccrine gland density (EGD), as a function of age and anatomic site.
Methods
We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane databases for articles published through May 25, 2017. Two reviewers independently screened 2,016 articles; 327 relevant articles and 151 additional articles found via forward or reference citations underwent full-text review by one of four reviewers for relevance, data extraction, and critical appraisal. Weighted averages, meta-analysis, and meta-regression were used in statistical analysis.
Results
Fifty-six articles were included; using all anatomic locations, overall estimates for ET, MD, HFD, and EGD were 99.75 microns (95% CI 83.25–116.25), 955.05 cells/mm2 (95% CI 880.89–1029.21), 1.40 hairs/mm2 (95% CI 0.91–1.89), and 1.28 glands/mm2 (95% CI 0.91–1.64), respectively.
Limitations
There was significant data heterogeneity across studies, possibly due to differences in histological techniques and absence of standardized microanatomy definitions.
Conclusion
We established summary estimates for normal human skin microanatomy parameters.