CORNIFIED STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM – 5
The skin is covered by an epithelial layer called epidermis. Its epithelium is a stratified squamous cornified epithelium. Unlike the surfaces of most epithelia seen previously in this chapter, its surface is dry.
The cells of the most superficial layers of thhis epithelium undergo a process of cornification. After the cells migrate and reach the superficial layers, they die and transform into thin plates of proteins and are continually released. These plates form the stratum corneum of the skin, which protects the epithelium from friction, mechanical injuries and prevents the drying of its cells and those of the underlying connective tissue.
The stratum corneum is highlighted in light blue when you move your mouse cursor over the image. Observe that there are no nuclei in this layer, as their cells had transformed into scales. Some of the squamous cells in the process of corneification, become highlighted in green.
The stratum corneum is thicker in areas of the body submitted to greater friction, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, elbows, knees.
The cells of the most superficial layers of thhis epithelium undergo a process of cornification. After the cells migrate and reach the superficial layers, they die and transform into thin plates of proteins and are continually released. These plates form the stratum corneum of the skin, which protects the epithelium from friction, mechanical injuries and prevents the drying of its cells and those of the underlying connective tissue.
The stratum corneum is highlighted in light blue when you move your mouse cursor over the image. Observe that there are no nuclei in this layer, as their cells had transformed into scales. Some of the squamous cells in the process of corneification, become highlighted in green.
The stratum corneum is thicker in areas of the body submitted to greater friction, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, elbows, knees.
Skin. Hematoxylin and eosin. Medium magnification.
The stratum corneum is highlighted in light blue in the image when you hover your cursor over it. Note that there are no nuclei in this layer, as these cells are dead. A few squamous cells which are in the process of corneification become highlighted in green.
The stratum corneum is thicker in areas of the body subject to greater friction, such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, elbows, knees.