Borges lines
Tension is present in all directions in the skin but mainly in one direction, which follows the relaxed skin tension lines (RSTLs) first described by Borges (1)
- RSTLs follow furrows when the skin is relaxed; they are not visible features of skin like wrinkle lines
- relaxation is achieved by joint mobilization, muscle contraction, or pinching
- of these three methods, pinching is the most reliable
- furrows formed with joint mobilization or muscle contraction can be unreliable, depending on the type of joint mobilization or on which muscle is contracting
- furrows formed by pinching are best created by applying the pinch at a right angle to the RSTLs
- RSTLs exert a constant tension pull in a certain direction and are altered only temporarily by muscle action
- of these three methods, pinching is the most reliable
- relaxation is achieved by joint mobilization, muscle contraction, or pinching
Reference:
- Borges AF: Relaxed skin tension lines (RSTL) versus other skin lines. Plast Reconstr Surg 73:144-150, 1984.
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