The skin is the largest organ in the body and is made up of three primary layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous fat. The epidermis is the outermost layer and is a stratified squamous epithelium derived from ectoderm.
Epithelial tissue is one of the four basic tissue types in the body and is responsible for covering surfaces and lining cavities. It is composed of closely packed cells with little intercellular space. The stratified squamous epithelium of the epidermis is a type of epithelial tissue that is made up of multiple layers of flattened cells. This type of epithelium is found in areas of the body that experience a lot of friction, such as the skin.
The epidermis is composed of four principal cell types:
- Keratinocytes: The most abundant cell type, keratinocytes produce keratin, a protein that helps protect the skin.
- Melanocytes: These cells produce melanin, a pigment that gives the skin its color and protects it from ultraviolet radiation.
- Langerhans cells: These are immune cells that help protect the body from infections.
- Merkel cells: These cells are involved in the sense of touch.
