A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
La Le Li Lo Lu Ly
Lab Lac Lam Lan Lar Lat

Langer’s line

Noun

1. Topological lines drawn on a map of the human body. They were historically defined by the direction in which the skin of a human cadaver will split when struck with a spike. They correspond to the natural orientation of collagen fibers in the dermis, and are generally perpendicular to the orientation of the underlying muscle fibers. Langer’s lines have relevance to forensic science and the development of surgical techniques. (wikipedia.org)

2. Lines which can be extrapolated by connecting linear openings made when a round pin is driven into the skin of a cadaver, resulting from the principal axis of orientation of the subcutaneous connective tissue (collagen) fibres of the dermis; they vary in direction with the region of the body surface. (biology-online.org)

3. Any of the various linear openings that occur when a pin is driven into the skin of a cadaver, whose appearance depends on the axis of orientation of the subcutaneous connective tissue fibers and whose direction varies with the region of the body surface. (The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary)

Syn: cleavage line

Related Entries