Anatomical mapping of epidermal Langerhans cell densities in adults

Abstract

The densities of T6 antigen-bearing Langerhans cells in 112 biopsies of human skin from sixteen surgical out-patients and four cadavers were determined for eight anatomical regions. The regional mean densities (± s. e. m.) of epidermal Langerhans cells per mm² were: head and neck, 489 ± 27; chest, 466 ± 22; back, 466 ± 11; upper extremities, 458 ± 25; lower extremities, 431 ± 30; buttocks, 411 ± 11; genitalia, 298 ± 45; soles, 58 ± 12. No statistically significant differences were found between any of these Langerhans cell densities except for that of the soles which was lower than those of all other regions (P < 0.002). No significant differences were detected between the mean densities of patients and cadavers, Caucasians and Hispanics or males and females.