This medium magnification
image of a section from thick skin shows the epidermis and underlying dermis.
The epidermis is composed of the following layers: (1) stratum germinativum
(the most basal layer, one cell thick); (2) stratum spinosum, containing numerous
layers of cells; (3) stratum granulosum, a thinner layer of deeply basophilic
cells; (4) stratum lucidum, a relatively thick, pinkish layer; (5) stratum
corneum, composed of many layers of flattened, anucleate cells that in this
preparation are strongly basophilic. The loose connective tissue of the papillary
layer of the dermis extends into the epidermis as finger-like papillae. Beneath
it is the dense irregular connective tissue of the reticular layer of the
dermis.
