The Structure of the Calcaneal Padding

There already exists research about the construction of the heel-padding, which was conducted by Tietze. This author has tested the calcaneal padding in two different ways. First on sections, located in the sagittal and the frontal plane, secondly on saw-sections, produced after the so-called Gympas method. (This method is not explained any further.) My experiences with the subcutis, especially the extremities and the throat (partially published in 1931), convinced me that we can not get a clear picture about the special construction of the padding, as employed by Tietze. His research lacks the use of horizontal series of sections, which would bring new and useful outlines. Also the use of reconstruction procedure is missing. Therefore, the investigation has been supplemented on that score. Moreover, the experience I gained from the other sites of the subcutis was of help to me. The primitive overall design in a certain fetal age is so similar to the one in adults that it offers a simplified view. Such undeveloped test subjects have the advantage that they are especially suited for a series-of-section method. Furthermore, they are in full view in the visual field of the microscope. Therefore, I chose the fetal stages as the basis for the tests and only thereafter examined the padding in adults.