The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin, a stratified squamous epithelium with no blood vessels of its own. New cells (keratinocytes) are made in its deepest layer and move up over about a month, filling with keratin and dying to form a tough, waterproof surface that is constantly shed. It is thickest on the palms and soles.
| Location | Outermost layer of the skin, superficial to the dermis |
|---|---|
| Parts | |
| Nerve Supply | Free nerve endings from cutaneous nerves |
| Blood Supply | Nourished by diffusion from dermal capillaries |
Forms a waterproof, self-renewing barrier against microbes, chemicals and ultraviolet light, and produces pigment.
The epidermis also contains melanocytes that make pigment, Langerhans cells that trigger immune responses, and Merkel cells for fine touch. Because it has no blood vessels, a graze limited to the epidermis does not bleed and heals without a scar. Psoriasis speeds up its cell turnover, and most skin cancers arise from epidermal cells.
A chronic immune condition with rapid epidermal turnover, producing thick, red, scaly plaques.
An itchy inflammatory condition linked to a weakened epidermal barrier.
The most common skin cancer, arising from the basal layer, slow-growing and rarely spreading.
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