ANATOMICAL LAYERS OF THE SKIN
Anatomy of the Epidermis
What is the Epidermis?
LAYERS OF THE EPIDERMIS
A.)Stratum Basale
- is the most superficial layer of
the skin.
- protects the skin from the
outside risks in our
environment.
FUNCTIONS
- the deepest layer of the
epidermis, composed of a single
row of cuboidal or columnar
keratinocytes.
- to indicate its role in forming
new cells. The keratin
intermediate filaments form the
tough protein keratin in its more
 superficial epidermal layers.
Keratin protects the deeper
layers from injury.
B.)Stratum Spinosum - between the stratum basale layer
and the stratum granulosum layer.
- this stratum mainly consists of
numerous keratinocytes arranged in
8–10 layers. At each spinelike
projection, bundles of keratin
intermediate filaments insert into
desmosomes, which tightly join the
cells to one another. This arrangement
provides both strength and flexibility to
the skin.
C.)Stratum Granulosum - between the stratum spinosum layer
and the stratum lucidum layer.
- three to five rows of flattened
keratinocytes, in which organelles are
beginning to degenerate; cells contain
the protein keratohyalin (converts
keratin intermediate filaments into
keratin) and lamellar granules (release
lipid-rich, water-repellent secretion).
D.)Stratum Lucidum - between the stratum granulosum and
the stratum corneum.
- present only in the skin of fingertips,
palms, and soles; consists of four to
six rows of clear, flat, dead
keratinocytes with large amounts of
keratin. Constant exposure of skin to
friction stimulates increased cell
production and keratin production that
results in the formation of a callus, an
abnormal thickening of the stratum
corneum.
E.) Stratum Corneum - the top layer of the epidermis.
- in this outer stratum of the epidermis,
cells are continuously shed and
replaced by cells from the deeper
strata. Its multiple layers of dead cells
help the stratum corneum to protect
deeper layers from injury and
microbial invasion. Constant exposure

PRINCIPAL CELLS IN THE
EPIDERMIS
1.) Keratinocytes
2.) Melanocytes
3.) Intraepiderminal
Macrophages
4.) Tactile Epithelial Cells
of skin to friction stimulates increased
cell production and keratin production
that results in the formation of a callus,
an abnormal thickening of the stratum
corneum.
FUNCTIONS
- keratino = hornlike; cytes = cells
- about 90% of epidermal cells are
keratinocytes
- arranged in four or five layers and
produce keratin
- produces lamellar granules
 Keratin – a tough, fibrous protein
that helps protect the skin and
underlying tissues from abrasions,
heat, microbes, and chemicals.
- melano = black
- about 8% of epidermal cells are
melanocytes
- develop from the ectoderm of a
developing embryo and produce the
pigment melanin.
- susceptible to damage by UV light
 Melanin – is a yellow-red or
brown-black pigment that
contributes to skin color and
absorbs ultraviolet (UV) light.
- - also called as Langerhans cells
- arise from the red bone marrow and
migrate to the epidermis; constitutes a
small fracture of the epidermal cells.
- participate in immune responses
mounted against microbes that invades the
skin and are easily damaged by UV light.
- their role in the in the immune system is
to help other cells of the immune system
to recognize an invading microbe and
destroy it.
- also called as Merkel Cells
- the least numerous of the epidermal
cells.
 - located in the deepest layer of the
epidermis
- TEC and TD detects touch sensation
Anatomy of the Dermis
What is the Dermis?
LAYERS OF THE DERMIS
A.) Papillary layer
B.) Reticular layer
- “reticula” – netlike
- Dermis a fibrous structure
composed of collagen, elastic
tissue, and other extracellular
components that includes
vasculature, nerve endings, hair
follicles, and glands.
FUNCTIONS:
- is the upper layer, thinner,
composed of loose connective
tissue and contacts epidermis.
- makes up one-fifth of the
thickness of the dermis.
 Dermal Papillae – small
nipple-shaped structures that
project into the undersurface
of the epidermis.
a.) Capillary loops – blood
vessels
b.) Corpuscles – nerve endings
that are sensitive to touch
c.) Free nerve endings –
dendrites that lack any
apparent special structural
function
- is the deeper layer, thicker, less
cellular, and consists of dense
connective tissue & bundles of
collagen fibers.
- attached to the subcutaneous
layer of the skin
- gives the skin its extensibility
and elasticity
 extensibility – ability to
stretch
  elasticity – ability to return to
the original shape after being
stretched
a.) Collagen fibers – arranged
in a netlike manner, more
organized than the papillary
layer.
b.) Epidermal ridges – creates
a strong bond between the
dermis and the epidermis
and is formed during the 3rd
month of fetal development.

Anatomy of the Hypodermis

- Also known as the subcutaneous fascia
- It is the deepest layer of skin and contains adipose lobules along with
some skin appendages like the hair follicles, sensory neurons, and blood
vessels.
REFERENCES:
 Yousef, H., Alhajj, M., & Sharma, S. (2021). Anatomy, Skin (Integument),
Epidermis. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470464/#:~:text=It%20is
%20made%20up%20of
 ‌The subcutaneous layer: Anatomy, composition, and functions. (2021,
June 30). Www.medicalnewstoday.com.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/subcutaneous-
layer#:~:text=The%20subcutaneous%20layer%20is%20located