Skin fold
Encyclopedia
Skin folds are areas of skin
where it folds. Many skin folds are distinct, heritable anatomical features, and may be used for identification of animal species
, while others are non-specific and may be produced either by individual development of an organism or by arbitrary application of force to skin, either by the actions of the muscle
s of the body or by external force, e.g., gravity.
Skin folds are of interest for cosmetology
, since often they are undesirable features, and for medicine
, because many of them are susceptible to infection
.
:
Skin
-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...
where it folds. Many skin folds are distinct, heritable anatomical features, and may be used for identification of animal species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, while others are non-specific and may be produced either by individual development of an organism or by arbitrary application of force to skin, either by the actions of the muscle
Muscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
s of the body or by external force, e.g., gravity.
Skin folds are of interest for cosmetology
Cosmetology
Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology....
, since often they are undesirable features, and for medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, because many of them are susceptible to infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
.
Human skin folds
The following distinct skin fold types are among the roughly 100 identified in human anatomyHuman anatomy
Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye...
:
- Nasolabial foldNasolabial foldThe nasolabial folds, commonly known as "smile lines" or "laugh lines," are facial features. They are the two skin folds that run from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth. They separate the cheeks from the upper lip...
- Epicanthal foldEpicanthal foldAn epicanthic fold, epicanthal fold, or epicanthus is a skin fold of the upper eyelid, covering the inner corner of the eye....
- Inframammary foldInframammary foldInframammary fold , inframammary crease or inframammary line is the feature of human anatomy which is a natural boundary of a breast from below, the place where the breast and the chest meet. The choice of the term depends on the prominence of the feature. It is also sometimes called inframammary...
- Webbed neckWebbed neckA webbed neck, or pterygium colli deformity, is a congenital skin fold that runs along the sides of the neck down to the shoulders.There are many variants.-Associated conditions:...
- Vocal foldsVocal foldsThe vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the larynx...
- False vocal folds