This high magnification image of thick skin shows upper layer of
the epidermis, which iscomposed ofnumerous layers of
squamous cells. Note that the deepest squamous
cells still have nuclei. As the cells move toward
the surface their nuclei gradually degenerate,
leaving the cells nearest to the surface devoid of nuclei.
The surface cells, called squames, are essentially
dead and are filled with the protein keratin.
