Morphological and morphometric study of the androgenetic alopecic scalp using two- and three-dimensional analysis comparing regional differences.
Kim JN, Lee JY, Shin KJ, Gil YC, Koh KS, Song WC.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Androgenetic (male-type) alopecia (Androgenetic Alopecia) is caused by genetic and androgenetic effects. The progression of baldness results in smaller hair papillae, thinner hair, and a shortened hair cycle. Alopecia occurs mainly in the frontal region, and to a lesser extent in the occipital region.
OBJECTIVE:
The morphological differences in the hair follicular units between the alopecic frontal scalp and the vertex and occipital regions were compared using cross-sectional histology and three-dimensional reconstruction.
METHODS:
Skin specimens were obtained from the frontal, vertex, and occipital regions of 24 male human cadavers with fully progressed Androgenetic Alopecia, and from the frontal region of 32 normal cadaveric scalps. These specimens were fixed, processed using routine histological methods, serially sectioned at a thickness of 10 μm, and then stained with Masson's trichrome. The serial sections were reconstructed in three dimensions using a computer program.
RESULTS:
The ratios between the numbers of terminal and vellus hairs in the frontal and occipital regions in the Androgenetic Alopecia scalps were 0.2:1 and 3.5:1, respectively. Almost all of the hair follicles in the frontal region were vellus hair follicles. The sebaceous gland and arrector pili muscle were larger in the frontal region than the occipital region.
CONCLUSION:
The morphology of the Androgenetic Alopecia scalp has been characterized. The terminal-to-vellus hair ratio in the occipital (normal) region was opposite that in the frontal (alopecic) region. Moreover, sebaceous glands were larger in the frontal alopecic region than in the occipital region. These larger glands may be associated with other dermatologic pathologies such as seborrheic dermatitis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
