The size of a keratinocyte varies depending on its location, differentiation stage, and the method of measurement. There's no single definitive answer.
Keratinocyte Size: A Range of Measurements
Several studies provide size ranges for keratinocytes:
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Keratinocyte Stem Cells: These are found in the stratum basale and are generally reported as being 6-10 µm in size. Source: Atlas of Plant and Animal Histology
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DNA-Synthesizing Keratinocytes: Studies using in vitro cultures report these as having a mean diameter of 14 µm. Source: Differentiation of the epidermal keratinocyte in cell culture
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In Vivo Keratinocytes: The size of keratinocytes in vivo (within the body) is estimated to be between 15 to 50 µm, varying based on differentiation. Source: What is the size of human keratinocyte in vitro? | ResearchGate
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Nuclear Size (in vitro): One study using reflectance microscopy identified an average nuclear size of 8.6 ± 2.8 μm for keratinocytes. Source: Automated identification of epidermal keratinocytes in reflectance ...
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Clone-forming ability: Keratinocytes capable of forming clones in vitro are reported to be 11 microns or less in diameter. Source: Cell size as a determinant of the clone-forming ability of human ...
The discrepancy in reported sizes highlights the importance of considering the context: the specific type of keratinocyte (stem cell vs. differentiated), the environment ( in vivo vs. in vitro), and the measurement method.
