PROPERTIES OF HUMAN SKIN REVEALED BY FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY

Abstract

In a previous communication¹we described the appearance of the normal skin under the fluorescence microscope as the basis for histologic studies of the skin. In addition, we referred to the visualization of vitamin A by this method. We have studied the appearance of cutaneous sections made from paraffinoma tissue. The histologic picture was as follows: The epidermis was in all respects similar in appearance to that of normal skin. There were round and oval cavities scattered irregularly through the cutis and in the subcutis. These spaces varied considerably in size and presented the well known Swiss cheese picture found in paraffinoma. Whereas with ordinary staining methods these spaces appear clear and transparent, under the fluorescence microscope they were a vivid turquoise blue. Their color was homogeneous within each cavity, though the smaller ones showed a more intense color. Their color did not change on continued ultraviolet irradiation. No