Epidermis Research Paper

The epidermis is the top most layer of the skin. The type of epithelia found here is keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. This layer consists of 4 layers of think skin or 5 layers of hard skin and is avascular which means there are not blood vessels in this layer. On the epidermis are epidermal ridges that allow it to lock with the dermis. The cells within the epidermis are keratinocytes that produce keratin and are the most numerous; melanocytes that are in the deepest layer of epidermis and produce melanin; tactile cells that are associated with tactile sensation and connect to nerve endings in the deepest layer of the epidermis; and epidermal dendritic cells that ingest bacteria and foreign debris and epidermal cancer cells. The layers of the epidermis are the stratum basal which is the deepest layer of the epidermis and is a single layer of columnar/cuboidal keratinocytes resting on basement membrane; the stratum spinosum which contains epidermal dendritic cells and is below the above the stratum basal; stratum granulosum is above the stratum spinosum and contains keratinocytes which undergo keratinization here; stratum lucidum is above the stratum granulosum and is mostly seen in thick skin and contains flattened, anucleate keratinocytes; and the stratum corneum is the layer above the stratum lucidum made up of 20-30 layers of anucleate keratinocytes and is constantly shedded. …show more content…
It is mostly dense irregular connective tissue and has a rich blood supply. It contains dermal papillae, which are projections that interlock with epidermal ridges. The layers of the dermis include the papillary dermis which is the upper most layer and contains the dermal papillae, and the reticular layer which has the sweat glands, oil glands, and hair follicles. This layer is in contact with the subcutaneous