What are the layers of the epidermis of the skin?
Answer
The skin is made up of an outer epidermis, an inner dermis, and a deep layer of hypodermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the body. The epidermis is the thinnest layer of skin, but it's responsible for protecting you from the outside world and is subdivided into five layers. The layers of the epidermis are: stratum basale (also known as stratum germinativum) is the deepest layer of epidermis. New skin cells develop in this layer. It also contains the keratinocyte stem cells, which produce the protein keratin. It also contains melanocytes, which are responsible for producing melanin, which is responsible for producing melanin that provides the pigment of your epidermis. Stratum spinosum is between the stratum basale and stratum granulosum layers. This layer consists mostly of keratinocytes held together by sticky proteins called desmosomes. The stratum spinosum helps make your skin flexible and strong. Stratum granulosum is between the stratum spinosum layer and the stratum lucidum layer. Keratinocytes have granules within them, which are visible under a microscope in this layer. Stratum lucidum is between the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum. It's a thin, transparent layer of keratinocytes that are becoming less round and have a flatter shape. Stratum corneum is the top layer of the epidermis. This is the layer you see. In the stratum corneum, keratinocytes become corneocytes. Corneocytes are strong, dead keratinocytes that protect you from harm, including abrasions, light, heat, and pathogens. This layer also consists of fats that keep water from easily entering or leaving your body. The corneocytes eventually shed as new keratinocyte cells develop in the stratum basale layer and move through the other layers of skin.
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