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Microscopic Structure of Pig Skin¹

University of Wisconsin², Madison 53706

Abstract

Skin samples were removed from several body regions of the pig by biopsy or during the slaughter process and were fixed, processed for paraffin embedding and sectioned at 6 to 8 µm thickness. Several stains were used to emphasize the different structures of the organ. Microscopic observations revealed that the epidermis of the pig was rather rough and characterized by a pattern of ridges. Epidermal thickness varied greatly amongst different body regions. The shoulder and the snout possessed deep patterns of ridges, while the dorsum and the hip were characterized by a thin pattern. The dermis consisted mainly of coarse collagen fibers oriented both perpendicular and parallel to the surface. Elastic fibers permeated the entire dermis and were concentrated around the hair follicles and in the papillary layer around the interpapillary pegs. Bulbs of the growing hair follicles were located primarily in the relatively thick hypodermis. Most of the secretory coils of the sweat glands were also located in the hypodermis and their ducts opened independently near the orifice of the hair follicles with which they were associated. Sebaceous glands were rather rudimentary and were mainly found in conjunction with hair follicles. Hair follicles were generally arranged in groups of three (triad).

¹ Research supported by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, and by a grant from the American Meat Institute Foundation. Muscle Biology Manuscript No. 80.

² Department of Meat and Animal Science.