Skin epidermis and dermis

The skin epidermis is the outermost, avascular layer of tightly packed epithelial cells, forming the primary barrier to environmental insults, preventing water loss, and providing immune surveillance. It consists mainly of keratinocytes arranged in strata (from surface to base: stratum corneum, lucidum [thick skin only], granulosum, spinosum, basale). The dermis, located immediately beneath the epidermis, is much thicker and composed chiefly of dense connective tissue containing collagen, elastin, blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, hair follicles, and glands. It is divided into the papillary and reticular layers. Together, the epidermis and dermis maintain cutaneous integrity, enable sensation, immunologic function, and thermoregulation, and serve as the major physical barrier of the body.

Other names

epidermis and dermisskin layerscutaneous layers