Skin layer thickness at the ear of the domesticated pig,with special reference to the use of the ear integument for human dermatological research

Based on a shrinkage-free methodical approach (special plastic resin embedding, frozen section technique) and histological routine staining, the thickness of the different skin layers was measured from 15 regions of the outer and the inner side of the porcine auricle. Mean thickness values were for the str. corneum: 19 microns outside/20 microns inside, vital epidermis without ridges: 52 microns outside/56 microns inside, dermis: 1175 microns outside/1112 microns inside, hypodermis: 1024 microns outside/741 microns inside, perichondrium: 295 microns outside/220 microns inside. When both sides of the auricle were compared, it became obvious that the outer side generally had a thicker dermis (1140-1290 microns) and hypodermis (780-1150 microns), whereas the inner side had a thicker vital epidermis (50-60 microns) and deeper epidermal ridges (145-165 microns). The results are discussed with regard to corresponding findings from the human skin, and one region of the outer side of the porcine auricle is recommended as suitable for human dermatological research.