Glabrous (hairless) skin found on the hands, feet, face, and ears is a unique component of the thermoregulatory system. Its anatomy and control physiology differ markedly from those of the rest of the skin. Glabrous regions contain vascular networks capable of supporting large blood flows due to the presence of highly tortuous and densely packed arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) and associated venous collecting networks [1]. When dilated, these vessels bring large volumes of blood close to the body surface where they function as highly efficient heat exchangers. Furthermore, the manner in which this blood flow is controlled is very unique, exhibiting, for example, rapid and high-magnitude responses, as well as a greater sensitivity to central core signals [1]. In this light, glabrous skin is an important but often overlooked tool the body uses to rapidly and finely adjust energy balance to maintain thermal equilibrium.
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ASME 2012 Summer Bioengineering Conference
June 20–23, 2012
Fajardo, Puerto Rico, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Bioengineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4480-9
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Quantitative Analysis of Glabrous Skin Blood Flow and its Role in Human Thermoregulation
Daniel W. Hensley,
Daniel W. Hensley
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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Andrew E. Mark,
Andrew E. Mark
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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Eugene H. Wissler,
Eugene H. Wissler
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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Kenneth R. Diller
Kenneth R. Diller
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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Daniel W. Hensley
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Andrew E. Mark
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Eugene H. Wissler
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Kenneth R. Diller
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Paper No:
SBC2012-80854, pp. 637-638; 2 pages
Published Online:
July 19, 2013
Citation
Hensley, DW, Mark, AE, Wissler, EH, & Diller, KR. "Quantitative Analysis of Glabrous Skin Blood Flow and its Role in Human Thermoregulation." Proceedings of the ASME 2012 Summer Bioengineering Conference. ASME 2012 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B. Fajardo, Puerto Rico, USA. June 20–23, 2012. pp. 637-638. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/SBC2012-80854
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