Orthopedics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Orthopedics, including details on chronic injuries, muscoskeletal disorders, surgery, reconstruction.

Paleodermatology.

Lupi O

Curso de Pós-Graduação em Dermatologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and Instituto de Dermatologia Prof. Rubem Azulay, Santa Casa RJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. oarlupi@globo.com

The study of the human skin evolution, allows a new vision to ancient questions such as the significance of human skin color variation, the correlations between bipedality and loss of body hair, and the correlations among epidermal appendages and structures of the skin with the changes on environment and evolution of humans. Paleodermatology would be an appropriated term to designate the study of the human skin evolution. The etymology of this word comes from a Greek root (paleo = ancient). It is a multidisciplinary subject for researchers such as dermatologists, anthropologists, physiologists, and orthopedics. It should include the evaluations regarding physiology, thermoregulation, and the evolution of the human skin structures.

Published 4 January 2008 in Int J Dermatol, 47(1): 9-12.
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