Morphological characteristics of the human skin over posterior aspect of heel in the context of pressure ulcer development

Abstract

The posterior aspect of heel is known as a particularly vulnerable site for pressure ulcer development, however, it is not well understood why this is so. This study was undertaken to identify the morphological characteristics of the skin over posterior aspect of heel in the context of pressure ulcer development. Human skin tissues were obtained from four different sites of the body of 4 aged subjects postmortem: posterior aspect of heel, plantar aspect of heel, sacrum and centre of gluteus maximus. The skin samples were processed for the examination using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The posterior aspect of heel was characterized by a thicker epidermis, denser distribution and larger diameter of capillaries in the papillary layer, 3-dimensional architecture of collagen fibre meshwork in the reticular layer and elliptic adipose tissues situated perpendicularly to the skin surface being surrounded by thick collagen and elastic fibre septa compared to the sacrum. Given our observations in the papillary layer of the posterior aspect of heel, we assume that the tissue of this area may be less tolerant to ischaemia since the tissue has high metabolic demand to provide oxygen and nutrients to the epidermis which protects underlying tissue from external force. In addition, elliptic configuration of adipose tissues in the posterior aspect of heel situated perpendicularly to the skin surface may result in deep lesion if the forces applied exceed the tolerable level since the forces will be concentrated within the elliptic compartments.