
82 Handbook of Biomedical Optics
vascularized layer), and subcutaneous fat (from 1 to 6 mm thick,
in dependence from the body site).
e randomly inhomogeneous distribution of blood and vari-
ous chromophores and pigments in skin produces variations of
average optical properties of skin layers. Nonetheless, it is pos-
sible to dene the regions in the skin where the gradient of skin
cells’ structure, chromophores, or blood amounts changing with
a depth equals roughly zero. is allows subdividing these lay-
ers into sublayers regarding the physiological nature, physical
and optical properties of their cells, and pigments content. e
epidermis ca