The key difference between scar tissue and normal skin tissue is that in scar tissue, collagen fibres are oriented in a single direction, parallel to each other, while in normal skin tissue, collagen fibres are oriented randomly to each other.
Skin tissue is the first line of defence against the environment, microbes, and other foreign elements. It is an immunologically active sensory and excretory tissue. It usually helps in regulating body temperature and permits sensations such as touch, heat and cold. Moreover, skin tissue is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. Due to injuries, burns, surgeries, and acne, normal skin tissue turns to scar tissue. Therefore, scar tissue and normal skin tissue are two types of skin tissues.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Scar Tissue
3. What is Normal Skin Tissue
4. Similarities – Scar Tissue and Normal Skin Tissue
5. Scar Tissue vs Normal Skin Tissue in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Scar Tissue vs Normal Skin Tissue
What is Scar Tissue?
Scar tissue is constructed from collagen fibres that are oriented in a single direction, parallel to each other. It is a collection of cells and collagen fibres that covers the injury site. It can develop on the skin due to various reasons such as injuries, burns, surgeries, and acne. Other areas of the body also can develop scar tissue, such as in the heart muscle, soon after a heart attack. Scar tissues can occur in three ways: keloid, hypertrophic, and contracture.
Figure 01: Scar Tissue
Keloid is a raised red skin coloured scar tissue. A hypertrophic scar is a common type of scar tissue that fades over time though it looks similar to keloid scar tissue. Contracture scar tissues usually occur after burn injury. These scar tissues can impair the movement of the affected area. The treatment therapies for scar tissue include topical creams (corticosteroids), injectable therapies (interferon), cryotherapy, radiotherapy, laser therapy, and mechanical therapy (pressure therapy).
What is Normal Skin Tissue?
Normal skin tissue is constructed from collagen fibres that are oriented randomly to each other. Normal skin is composed of three main layers: superficial epidermis, deeper dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis consists of several other layers. The topmost layer consists of dead cells. These dead cells are shed periodically and are replaced by the cells of the basal layer. Dermis connects the epidermis to the hypodermis, which is the deepest layer of the skin. The dermis provides strength and elasticity as it contains collagen and elastin fibres. The hypodermis is again a connective tissue, and it also harbours adipose tissue for fat storage and protection.
Figure 02: Normal Skin Tissue
In humans, skin pigmentation varies among different populations. Furthermore, different people have different skin types; dry, normal, and oily. These different skin types provide a rich and diverse habitat for bacteria. It is estimated roughly 1000 species of bacteria from 19 phyla are present on normal human skin.
What are the Similarities Between Scar Tissue and Normal Skin Tissue?
- Scar tissue and normal skin tissue are two types of skin tissues.
- Both types have collagen fibres and fibroblast cells.
- These types cover underlying muscles, bones, ligaments, and internal organs.
- They have main three layers: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.
What is the Difference Between Scar Tissue and Normal Skin Tissue?
Scar tissue is a type of tissue constructed from collagen fibres that are oriented in a single direction, parallel to each other, while normal skin tissue is a type of tissue constructed from collagen fibres that are oriented randomly to each other. So, this is the key difference between scar tissue and normal skin tissue. Furthermore, scar tissue undergoes structural and functional deterioration. On the other hand, normal skin tissue contains the basic structure and function of the skin.
The below infographic lists the differences between scar tissue and normal skin tissue in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Scar Tissue vs Normal Skin Tissue
Skin is the body’s largest organ that covers the entire body. Scar tissue and normal skin tissue are two types of skin tissues. Scar tissue is constructed of collagen fibres that are oriented in a single direction, while normal skin tissue is constructed of collagen fibres that are oriented randomly to each other. Thus, this summarizes the difference between scar tissue and normal skin tissue.
Reference:
1. “Scar Tissue.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
2. “Skin.” The Human Protein Atlas.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Skin layers” By Madhero88 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Keloid” By Michael Rodger – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia