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Table 1: Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules in males
Parameters (cm) Mean ± SD Paired t P 95% CI of
difference
Lower abdomen Upper abdomen
Lower Upper
Height of superficial subcutaneous fat 0.706 ± 0.213 0.648 ± 0.187 1.394 0.173 -0.026 0.141
Width of superficial subcutaneous fat 0.570 ± 0.168 0.509 ± 0.186 1.991 0.055 -0.001 0.122
Height of deep subcutaneous fat 0.824 ± 0.225 0.730 ± 0.227 2.117 0.042 0.003 0.184
Width of deep subcutaneous fat 0.782 ± 0.222 0.639 ± 0.2449 2.848 0.008 0.040 0.244
SD: Standard deviation, CI: Confidence interval

Table 2: Morphometry of subcutaneous fat lobules in females
Parameters (cm) Mean ± SD Paired t P 95% CI of
difference
Lower abdomen Upper abdomen
Lower Upper
Height of superficial subcutaneous fat 0.743 ± 0.229 0.600 ± 0.216 3.333 0.016 0.038 0.247
Width of superficial subcutaneous fat 0.657 ± 0.171 0.629 ± 0.205 0.603 0.569 -0.087 0.144
Height of deep subcutaneous fat 1.014 ± 0.261 0.971 ± 0.269 0.528 0.617 -0.155 0.241
Width of deep subcutaneous fat 1.00 ± 0.173 0.771 ± 0.236 2.359 0.056 -0.008 0.465
SD: Standard deviation, CI: Confidence interval

the upper and LA revealed significant (2‑tailed) positive 0.639 ± 0.2449, P = 0.008) of the deep subcutaneous fat
correlation. The height (r = 0.491, P = 0.001) of the deep of the LA was significantly more than that in the UA in
fat of the upper and LA showed a positive correlation males. Whereas in females, the height of the superficial
while the width (r = 0.301, P = 0.059) of the deep fat of fat (0.743 ± 0.229 vs. 0.600 ± 0.216, P = 0.016)
the upper and LA did not show positive correlation. was significantly larger in the LA than in the UA
[Tables 1 and 2].
DISCUSSION The height of deep fat of UA (0.971 ± 0.269 vs.
0.730 ± 0.227, P = 0.018) and width of deep fat of
Superficial fat layer is richly vascularized, and when LA (1.00 ± 0.173 vs. 0.782 ± 0.222, P = 0.020) were
hypertrophied, it is responsible for cellulite. Embryologically significantly more in females than males. This may be the
it arises from the hypodermis of the integument. reason for an increase in lower abdominal girth with weight
Hypertrophy of the deep layer of fat is unsightly and gain in females. Our findings thus support observations
called LFD. LFDs are often difficult to lose‑by exercise and concluded by Champe and Harvey. He Q et al. suggested
[15]
[16]
diet. [11] that superficial and deep subcutaneous compartments may
The superficial layer comprises of tightly packed differ in the rate of fat deposition, lipolysis or both.
adipocytes supported by dense fibrous network Even though in vivo signals and the pathways regulating
whereas the deep layer constitutes of loosely arranged lipid metabolism are more complex than those in a
adipocytes. Varied blood supply of the two layers controlled in vitro study, the metabolic difference in the
was also reported. [12,13] The superficial epigastric superficial and deep compartments may lead to varied
arteries (a branch of the femoral artery) supply to the rates of gain and loss. This may be due to changes in
superficial layers, veins drain into the femoral veins energy intake or other factors.
via the saphenous hiatus. Inferior epigastric and deep
circumflex iliac arteries (branches of the external iliac Accumulation of subcutaneous fat depicts the normal
artery) and the superior epigastric artery (a branch of the physiological buffer for high caloric diet with limited
internal thoracic artery) supplies to the deep layer. [14] physical activity. This acts as a metabolic sink to store
excess free fatty acids and glycerol as triglycerides in
In the present study, the color, shape, size and adipocytes. [17]
arrangement of fat lobules were different at different Illouz defined the resistant nature (to absorption) of
[1]
regions of the abdomen and these were in agreement the abdominal LFD and showed that the anatomy of fat
with those reported by Yves. Although authors have lobules and its arrangement differ in different areas of the
[11]
mentioned the variability in the measurement (height or abdomen. The LFD in the central region of the abdomen
width) of the fat lobules, an extensive attempt was not is less resistant to resorption of fat and is strongly
made to study the differences in the superficial and deep correlated with cardiovascular diseases. The present
[5]
fat of the upper and LA.
study on the morphometry of the superficial and deep
Current study revealed that the height (0.824 ± 0.225 vs. subcutaneous fat in the upper and lower regions of the
0.730 ± 0.227, P = 0.042) and width (0.782 ± 0.222 vs. abdomen and in males and females reveals a significant

288 Plast Aesthet Res || Vol 2 || Issue 5 || Sep 15, 2015