Epidermis Anatomy

From Heather Brannon, MD, former About.com Guide

Updated September 30, 2007

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

There are four major layers of keratinocytes (the structural cells) in the epidermis and one layer that is present only in certain parts of the body. The bottom layer, the stratum basale, has cells that are shaped like columns. In this layer the cells divide and push already formed cells into higher layers. As cells move into the higher layers, they flatten and eventually die. We will take a closer look at the characteristics of each of these layers.

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• Epidermis Anatomy - Keratinocyte Maturation
• Stratum Basale
• Stratum Spinosum
• Stratum Granulosum
• Stratum Lucidum
• Stratum Corneum
• Stratum Corneum - Close-Up

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