A review of the optical properties of biological tissues
Abstract
The known optical properties (absorption, scattering, total attenuation, effective attenuation, and/or anisotropy coefficients) of various biological tissues at a variety of wavelengths are reviewed. The theoretical foundations for most experimental approaches are outlined. Relations between Kubelka-Munk parameters and transport coefficients are listed. The optical properties of aorta, liver, and muscle at 633 nm are discussed in detail. An extensive bibliography is provided.>
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The melanosome scattering coefficient is an order of magnitude greater than the absorption coefficient across the 400 to 1600 nm spectrum.
“Despite melanin being a strong absorber, the melanosome scattering coefficient is an order of magnitude greater than the absorption coefficient across the 400 to 1600 nm spectrum.27,28”
From Effect of skin color on optical properties and the implications for medical optical technologies: a review (2024) · cites this paper as [27]
Scattering and absorption in the skin tend to decrease with increasing wavelength.
“Scattering and absorption in the skin tend to decrease with increasing wavelength.27–29”
From Effect of skin color on optical properties and the implications for medical optical technologies: a review (2024) · cites this paper as [27]
At visible wavelengths, light is absorbed by melanin and haemoglobin, whereas structures such as cell components and melanosomes of less than 300 μm give rise to scatter.
“At visible wavelengths, light is absorbed by melanin and haemoglobin; whereas structures, such as cell components and melanosomes of less than 300 µm, give rise to scatter [10].”
From Relevance and utility of the in-vivo and ex-vivo optical properties of the skin reported in the literature: a review [Invited] (2023) · cites this paper as [10]
For visible and near infra-red wavelengths, scattering dominates over absorption in skin, being 100-1000 times stronger (and reduced scattering being 10-100 times stronger).
“For visible and near infra-red (NIR) wavelengths, scattering dominates over absorption in skin, being 100 - 1000 times stronger (and reduced scattering being 10 - 100 times stronger) [10].”
From Relevance and utility of the in-vivo and ex-vivo optical properties of the skin reported in the literature: a review [Invited] (2023) · cites this paper as [10]
For skin, the anisotropy factor g tends to be between 0.8 and 0.95, i.e. scattering occurs mostly in the forward direction.
“For skin, g tends to be between 0.8-0.95, i.e. scattering occurs mostly in the forward direction.”
From Relevance and utility of the in-vivo and ex-vivo optical properties of the skin reported in the literature: a review [Invited] (2023) · cites this paper as [10]
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References 70 · Cited by 2,530
- Authors
- Cheong, W. F., Prahl, S. A., & Welch, A. J.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Boston University (US)
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- ORCID
- Cheong, W.F.
- Venue
- IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
- Published
- 1990
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 2166-2185
- ISSN
- 0018-9197 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2169119609
- Cited by
- 2,530
- References
- 70
- Citations by year
- 2026: 40 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 55 · 2022: 67 · 2021: 68 · 2020: 69 · 2019: 83 · 2018: 80 · 2017: 78 · 2016: 122 · 2015: 105 · 2014: 104 · 2013: 131 · 2012: 125
- FWCI
- 28.69
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Spectroscopy Techniques in Biomedical and Chemical Research
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Optical Coherence Tomography Applications
- Keywords
- tissue optical properties, optical absorption, light scattering, anisotropy parameter, Kubelka-Munk theory, radiative transfer theory, aorta, liver, muscle, 633 nm
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