SKIN ANATOMY

dr. Monica Sylviana

EPIDERMIS
 Stratum Corneum
(Horny Layer) is the outermost layer
of the epidermis, consisting of dead
cells (corneocytes). These
corneocytes are embedded in a lipid
matrix composed of ceramides,
cholesterol, and fatty acids.
Their cytoplasm shows filamentous
keratin.
 Stratum Lucidum
(Latin for "clear layer") is a thin, clear
layer of dead skin cells in the
epidermis named for its translucent
appearance under a microscope. It is
readily visible by light microscopy
only in areas of thick skin, which are
found on the palms of the hands and
the soles of the feet.
 Stratum Granulosum
(or granular layer) is a thin layer of cells in the
epidermis.

Keratinocytes migrating from the underlying

stratum spinosum become known as granular
cells in this layer. These cells contain
keratohyalin granules, which are filled with
histidine- and cysteine-rich proteins that
appear to bind the keratin filaments together.
 Stratum Spinosum
(or prickle cell layer)
Keratinization begins in the stratum spinosum.
This layer is composed of polyhedral
keratinocytes. They have large pale-staining
nuclei as they are active in synthesizing fibrilar
proteins, known as cytokeratin, which build up
within the cells aggregating together forming
tonofibrils.
The tonofibrils go on to form the desmosomes,
which allow for strong connections to form
between adjacent keratinocytes.
 Stratum Basale
(Or stratum germinativum) is the deepest layer of the
five layers of the epidermis.

The stratum basale is primarily made up of basal

keratinocyte stem cells, which can be considered the
stem cells of the epidermis. They divide to form the
keratinocytes of the stratum spinosum, which migrate
superficially.

Other types of cells found within the stratum basale are

melanocytes (pigment-producing cells), Langerhans
cells (immune cells), and Merkel cells (touch receptors).
 Epidermal Appendages
Epidermal appendages are intradermal epithelial
structures lined with epithelial cells with the
potential for division and differentiation.

Epidermal appendages include the following :

Sebaceous glands
Sweat glands
Apocrine glands
Mammary glands
Hair follicles
 Dermoepidermal Junction
The dermoepidermal junction is an
undulating basement membrane that
adheres the epidermis to the dermis.

It is composed of 2 layers :
1. Lamina lucida is thinner and lies directly
beneath the basal layer of epidermal
keratinocytes.
2. Lamina densa is thicker and in direct
contact with the underlying dermis.
 DERMIS
The dermis is a more complex structure and is composed of
2 layers :
1. Papillary Dermis is thinner, consisting of loose connective
tissue containing capillaries, elastic fibers, reticular fibers,
and some collagen.
2. Reticular dermis consists of a thicker layer of dense
connective tissue containing larger blood vessels, elastic
fibers, collagen fibers, fibroblasts, mast cells, nerve
endings, lymphatics, and epidermal appendages.

3. Surrounding the components of the dermis is the gel-like

ground substance, composed of mucopolysaccharides
(primarily hyaluronic acid), chondroitin sulfates, and
glycoproteins.
 Fibroblasts
These cells produce and secrete
procollagen and elastic fibers.
Procollagen is terminally cleaved by
proteolytic enzymes into collagen that
aggregates and becomes cross-linked.
These tightly cross-linked collagen fibers
provide tensile strength and resistance
to shear and other mechanical forces.
 Skin Innervation
Cutaneous nerves follow the route of
blood vessels to the skin. The area
supplied by a single spinal nerve, or
a single segment of the spinal cord,
is termed a dermatome. Adjacent
dermatomes may overlap
considerably, which is important to
note when performing field blocks
with local anesthesia.
 HYPODERMIS
Thehypodermis(subcutaneous layer,
or superficial fascia) lies between the
dermis and underlying tissues and
organs. It consists of mostly adipose
tissue and is the storage site of most
body fat.
THANKYOU