Microcirculation of the dermis from the viewpoint of venous anatomy

Microcirculation of the dermis was discussed from the viewpoint of venous anatomy with three-dimensional venograms from fresh cadavers that had been injected with radiopaque over the entire body. There were many ascending veins from the deep dermal plexus into the dermis. The veins formed a venous plexus in the reticular dermis and a subpapillary plexus in the subepidermal layer. From our venograms, a valve existed in the root of every ascending vein and vascular continuity in the reticular dermis was poor. The three-dimensional vasculature showed the functional role of the cutaneous venous system and the characteristic structure of the dermis was considered to bring about venous congestion of the skin in various clinical situations.