Skinfold Sites

Triceps

• Vertical fold
• Posterior midline of the upper arm
• Halfway between the acromion (shoulder) and olecranon processes (elbow)
• Arm held freely to the side of the body

Chest

• Diagonal fold
• Men: one-half the distance between the anterior axillary line (crease of the underarm) and the nipple
• Women: one-third of the distance between the anterior axillary line and the nipple

Midaxillary

• Vertical or Horizontal fold
• Midaxillary line at the level of the xiphoid process of the sternum

Subscapular

• Diagonal fold
• 1 to 2 cm below the inferior angle of the scapula

Suprailiac

• Diagonal fold
• Anterior axillary line (modern technique)
  • immediately superior to the iliac crest
  • in line with the natural angle of the iliac crest taken
• Mid-axillary line (traditional technique)
  • Superior to the iliac crest

Abdominal

• Vertical (modern technique)
  • 2 cm or 1" to the right side of the umbilicus
• Horizontal fold (traditional)
  • 2 cm to the right side of the umbilicus

Thigh

• Vertical fold
• Anterior midline of the thigh
• Midway between the proximal border of the patella (upper knee) and the inguinal crease (hip)

Other Sites

Biceps

• Vertical fold
• Anterior aspect of the arm over the belly of the biceps muscle
• 1 cm above the level used to mark the triceps site

Calf

• Vertical fold
• maximum circumference of calf on the midline of medial border