Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Most of the barrier functions of the epidermis localize to this layer. [12] clear/translucent layer (stratum lucidum, only in palms and soles) This narrow layer is found only on the palms and soles. The epidermis of these two areas is known as "thick skin" because with this extra layer, the skin has 5 epidermal layers instead of 4.
Micrograph of keratinocytes, basal cells and melanocytes in the epidermis Keratinocytes (stained green) in the skin of a mouse. Keratinocytes are the primary type of cell found in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. In humans, they constitute 90% of epidermal skin cells. [1]
The epidermis itself is devoid of blood supply and draws its nutrition from its underlying dermis. [5] Its main functions are protection, absorption of nutrients, and homeostasis. In structure, it consists of a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium; four types of cells: keratinocytes, melanocytes, Merkel cells, and Langerhans cells.
The main type of cells that make up the epidermis are Merkel cells, keratinocytes, with melanocytes and Langerhans cells also present. The epidermis can be further subdivided into the following strata (beginning with the outermost layer): corneum, lucidum (only in palms of hands and bottoms of feet), granulosum, spinosum, and basale.
The stratum corneum (Latin for 'horned layer') is the outermost layer of the epidermis. Consisting of dead tissue, it protects underlying tissue from infection, dehydration, chemicals and mechanical stress. It is composed of 15–20 layers of flattened cells with no nuclei and cell organelles.
The epidermis is the outermost cell layer of the primary plant body. In some older works the cells of the leaf epidermis have been regarded as specialized parenchyma cells, [1] but the established modern preference has long been to classify the epidermis as dermal tissue, [2] whereas parenchyma is classified as ground tissue. [3]
The dermis is composed of three major types of cells: [3] fibroblasts, macrophages, and mast cells.. Apart from these cells, the dermis is also composed of matrix components such as collagen (which provides strength), elastin (which provides elasticity), and extrafibrillar matrix, an extracellular gel-like substance primarily composed of glycosaminoglycans (most notably hyaluronan ...
Others serve to anchor the epidermis glabrous skin (hairless), and hyper-proliferative epidermis (from a skin disease). [1] They divide to form the keratinocytes of the stratum spinosum, which migrate superficially. [2] Other types of cells found within the stratum basale are melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) and Merkel cells (touch receptors).