P1.5 The concept of the Vitreous Membrane of the Hair Follicle as depicted by F. Pinkus (1868-1947)

K Stieler, A Vogt, U Blume-Peytavi, N Haas

Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Universitätsmedizin Charité Berlin Campus Mitte, Germany

F. Pinkus, one of the most celebrated masters of cutaneous histology of his time, published his concept of the structure of the hair-follicle apparatus in several books and articles in which most of the diagrams and illustrations were self-produced. Many of these partially abstract appearing representations are unsurpassed to the present-day.

The connective tissue sheath is separated from the outer root sheath by a hyaline membrane, the vitreous or glassy membrane. This membrane interfaces with the basal layer of the outer root sheath cells with interdigitating delicate fibrils. Pinkus interpreted these fibrils as annular bead-like appendices and with the aid of his microscope depicted them in many exquisite sketches, extrapolating to paper what he saw in horizontal and vertical section through various layers of the hair follicle.

In addition to his masterwork of 1927, the 426 page „ Die normale Anatomie der Haut“ in Jadassons “ Handbuch der Haut- und Geschlechtskrankheiten“ hitherto unknown drawings in black and white as well as in colour have in recent times come to light. These are now exhibited at the Department of Dermatology of the Universitätsmedizin Charité in Berlin.

Here they will be presented and scrutinized from a contemporary point of view.

These drawings are, as is typical of Pinkus´ work, not only beautiful to behold but also technically and factually precise. Indicating that his concept of the hair follicle is, even by modern-day standards by any means but antiquated.