Okay, about Wolverine

[thebitterguy]

I'm kinda inspired, having just seen Hugh Jackman dancing on top of a piano in gold lame pants. Not that seeing Hugh Jackman dance in gold lame pants is in any way an inspiration to me, mind you. He IS a very handsome man. But the inspiration is from the fact he played Wolverine. That's all.

My suspicion springs from the fact that Wolverine's healing factor doesn't seem to leave scars. Now, if it were just accelerated natural healing, there should be some kind of marks, especially considering some of the wounds he's taken. But since it doesn't, it may be it's a case of his body completely controlling its form, perhaps down to a molecular level.

In fact, one idea that pops up is that perhaps the reason they implanted the adamantium skeleton in him is not just to give him super-badassitude.

Now, this contradicts everything said about him in comics pretty much ever, but it would be neat if the adamantium skeleton, in addition to making him badass, was implanted in order to provide his body with cohesiveness; to act as an anchor for his form.

Now, since Wolverine, in spite of his renowned healing factor, does get drunk (most recently in some goofy book where Nick Fury forgets he heads one of the best espionage agencies in the world and starts recruiting super-heroes to spy on Dr. Doom), it likely isn't a form of normal super-healing or advanced metabolism.

Dunno. Just the crap that goes through my mind after seeing Hugh Jackman in gold lame pants.

I mean, after reading comics.

Comments

[proemial.livejournal.com]

The reason we scar is because the wound struck the basal skin layer. We can't heal that properly: the basal layer is a highly ordered entity, but it requires a certain framework within which to grow. As such, our bodies just shove randomly placed cells in to fill the gap. Presto: instant scar tissue.

So, obviously Wolverine's healing factor is able to heal basal skin cells. :)

[ketronic.livejournal.com]

people scar too though, even if the wound doesn't reach the lowest (basal, aka "basement") skin level. what about ppl that skin their knees, or any other kind of scrapping... that usually leaves scars on most people as well, and they haven't broken through all the layers of skin.

[proemial.livejournal.com]

It doesn't actually have to hit the lowest. I think it is only the outer few layers which can heal themselves without marks. Basal can't be healed at all -- the wound fills in with jumbled intermediary cells, if memory serves.

I'd have to reference a text to be absolutely certain.

As to scrapes, it could be a trauma reaction to a large surface wound. It is much faster for the body to fill a hole with the jumbled scar cells than it would be to grow in the properly organized surface skin.

[ketronic.livejournal.com]

well, the first couple layers are just basically dead cells waiting to be "sluffed" off, so those wouldn't leave any scars at all. i think it's when you reach the layers that have good blood supply (hence the ability to pull in phagocytes and stuff to "clean up" wounds, and lay down fibrogyn (sp?)) which is the foundation of scar tissue.

anywho... enough science nerd talk for tonight :)

[proemial.livejournal.com]

Hmm, sounds plausible. (yes, this is me conceding the discussion)

[ketronic.livejournal.com]

one thing to think about... scar tissue is laid down when the body can't properly reproduce tissue that has been damaged (aka, "proper healing"), so perhaps wolverine's incredible healing power allows him to properly produce specific tissue that has been damaged, and not just accelerates to scar tissue (the "bad" stuff that we think of as "making due"). i dunno... i'm a science nerd and have to give my 2 cents worth.

but yes... i agree that somehow his healing power is working on a molecular/cellular level. it's kinda cool either way.

[shannachie.livejournal.com]

I am sure there would be "crag..." going "...through my mind after seeing Hugh Jackman in gold lame pants"
It would not necessarily be about scar tissue, though.