Borges' Lines
Borges' lines, also known as relaxed skin tension lines (RSTL),[1] are natural lines on the skin, primarily of the face, where the skin has little to no tension.[2]
Skin tension lines (STLs) are used in surgery because they generally heal quicker and with less scarring. They are used in many different operations since they provide guidelines for surgeons when making primary incisions to promote the fastest healing.[3]
History
Karl Langer first discovered and mapped Langer's lines (also known as cleavage lines) in 1861. These worked well but weren't as accurate in live patients. These lines followed collagen fibers as found on cadavers.
In 1951 Kraissl's lines became popular as they used wrinkles to find the areas of maximum skin tension.[4]
In the 1970s Alexander F. Borges began the practice of using RSTLs.
Borges' methods
For living skin he had three methods:
- relaxation of the skin via joint movement
- relaxation of the skin via muscle contraction
- relaxation of the skin via pinching
He named the method of pinching as being the best as the other two didn't always lend the best spots, and were dependent on the joint or muscle being used.
A gently pinch would be given 90 degrees to a RSTL and the furrow that is formed is one of Borges' lines. This is because RSTLs pull in only one direction and are only momentarily changed by a muscle contracting.[1]
See also
- Langer's lines
- Kraissl's lines
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Borges lines – Primary Care Notebook". primarycarenotebook.com. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ↑ "Resting Skin Tension Lines for Facial Skin Surgery to Minimize Scars".
- ↑ Pomerantz, Erin R.; Griffin, Nicole L.; Brownstone, Nicholas D. (2025). "Clarifying the role of skin tension lines in dermatological surgery". Dermatology Online Journal. 31 (2). doi:10.5070/D331265288. PMID 40991492 Check
|pmid=value (help). - ↑ Bland, Kirby I.; Büchler, Markus W.; Csendes, Attila; Garden, O. James; Sarr, Michael G.; Wong, John (2009). General Surgery. SpringerLink Bücher. London: Springer London. ISBN 978-1-84628-832-6. Search this book on
Category:Medicine Category:Surgery Category:Skin
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