Korean J Phys Anthropol.  2017 Jun;30(2):47-51. 10.11637/kjpa.2017.30.2.47.

Does Retaining Ligament Exist in the Neck?

• Lee HJ
• Ryu SY
• Ahn HJ
• Cho SW
• Kim HJ
• Hu KS

• KMID: 2385296
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11637/kjpa.2017.30.2.47

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine the characteristics of the horizontal cervical wrinkle and to investigate histological feature, especially with respect to elastin and collagen fiber. Histologic sample were harvested from two fresh adult cadavers where the cervical wrinkle is in the neck. The tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) or Masson's Trichrome. In sections of neck skin, keratinization was observed in the epidermis, and many collagen fibers were observed in the dermis layer as in other skin. Specifically, a lot of short and curly elastic fiber were observed between the collagen fibers in the dermis. These elastic fibers were not stained with eosin and observed in gray. This long ligament-like structures were observed in the dermis. The ligament-like structures were stained with dark red by trichrome. These results indicate that these ligament-like structures are neither typical ligament nor typical smooth muscles. The results obtained from present study showed a ligamentous structure originating from the fascial layer (platysma muscle or investing layer). The results may help to understand the reasons about the formation of horizontal cervical wrinkle.

Keyword

Cervical horizontal wrinkle; Elastin fiber; Collagen fiber; Aging; Retaining ligament

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aging
Cadaver
Collagen
Dermis
Elastic Tissue
Elastin
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Epidermis
Hematoxylin
Humans
Ligaments*
Muscle, Smooth
Neck*
Skin
Collagen
Elastin
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Hematoxylin