Epidermis

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Synonym(s)

Epidermis

Definition
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boundary layer of the human body.

General information
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The thickness of the epidermis varies between 0.04 mm (eyelids) and 1.5 mm (palms and soles). The epidermis is of ectodermal origin and consists of about 90% keratinocytes and is attached to a basal lamina. It is interspersed with symbiotic cells, e.g. melanocytes, Langerhans cells, Merkel cells. The keratinocytes (size approx. 30 μm) are formed in the basal cell layer, migrate through the epidermis and differentiate in this way into devitalized corneocytes. The individual epidermal layers are called:The transit time through the stratum spinosum takes about 14 days. The renewal time of the stratum corneum also takes 14 days. The horny layer has an important barrier function. The sawtooth-like border zone between the epidermis and dermis is called the dermo-epidermal junction zone. The extensions of the epidermis into the dermis are called reteleasts, the intermediate dermal bulges are called dermal papillae.

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020