Stratum corneum

Stratum corneum
Stratum corneum
Epidermal layers.png
Histologic image of human epidermis
Latin stratum corneum epidermidis
Gray's subject #234 1064

The stratum corneum (Latin for horned layer) is the outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead cells (corneocytes) that lack nuclei and organelles. The purpose of the stratum corneum is to form a barrier to protect underlying tissue from infection, dehydration, chemicals and mechanical stress. Desquamation, the process of cell shedding from the surface of the stratum corneum, balances proliferating keratinocytes that form in the stratum basale. These cells migrate through the epidermis towards the surface in a journey that takes approximately fourteen days.[1]

Contents

Function

During cornification, the process whereby living keratinocytes are transformed into non-living corneocytes, the cell membrane is replaced by a layer of ceramides which become covalently linked to an envelope of structural proteins (the cornified envelope).[1][2] This complex surrounds cells in the stratum corneum and contributes to the skin's barrier function. Corneodesmosomes (modified desmosomes) facilitate cellular adhesion by linking adjacent cells within this epidermal layer. These complexes are degraded by proteases, eventually permitting cells to be shed at the surface. Desquamation and formation of the cornified envelope are both required for the maintenance of skin homeostasis. A failure to correctly regulate these processes leads to the development of skin disorders.[1]

Cells of the stratum corneum contain a dense network of keratin, a protein that helps keep the skin hydrated by preventing water evaporation. These cells can also absorb water, further aiding in hydration, and explaining why humans and other animals experience wrinkling of the skin on the fingers and toes ("pruning") when immersed in water for prolonged periods. In addition, this layer is responsible for the "spring back" or stretchy properties of skin. A weak glutenous protein bond pulls the skin back to its natural shape.

The thickness of the stratum corneum varies throughout the body. In the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet this layer is typically thicker, since these regions require additional protection in order to grasp objects and avoid injury. In general, the stratum corneum contains 15 to 20 layers of dead cells. The stratum corneum has a thickness between 10 and 40 μm.

In reptiles, the stratum corneum is permanent, and is replaced only during times of rapid growth, in a process called ecdysis or moulting. This is conferred by the presence of beta-keratin, which provides a much more rigid skin layer.

In the human forearm, about 1300 cells/cm2/hr are shed.

Skin disease

An inability to correctly maintain the skin barrier function due to the dysregulation of epidermal components can lead to skin disorders. For example, a failure to modulate the activity of kallikreins via the disruption of the protease inhibitor LEKTI causes the debilitating disorder Netherton syndrome.[3]

Additional images

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Ovaere P, Lippens S, Vandenabeele P, Declercq W. (2009). "The emerging roles of serine protease cascades in the epidermis". Trends in Biochemical Sciences 34 (9): 453–463. 
  2. ^ Haftek M, Callejon S, Sandjeu Y, Padois K, Falson F, Pirot F, Portes P, Demarne F, Jannin V. (2011). "Compartmentalization of the human stratum corneum by persistent tight junction-like structures". Exp Dermatol. PMID 21672033. 
  3. ^ Descargues P, Deraison C, Bonnart C, Kreft M, Kishibe M, Ishida-Yamamoto A, Elias P, Barrandon Y, Zambruno G, Sonnenberg A, Hovnanian A. (Jan 2005). "Spink5-deficient mice mimic Netherton syndrome through degradation of desmoglein 1 by epidermal protease hyperactivity". Nat Genet 37 (1): 56–65. doi:10.1038/ng1493. PMID 15619623. 

External links



Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Stratum corneum — ⇒ Hornschicht …   Deutsch wörterbuch der biologie

  • Stratum corneum — Schichten der Haut Als Epidermis (griech. epi über, darauf; derma Haut) bezeichnet man die Oberhaut bei Wirbeltieren und beim Menschen. Sie bildet als äußerste Hautschicht die eigentliche Schutzhülle gegenüber der Umwelt. Sie ist mehrschichtig… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Stratum corneum — Pour les articles homonymes, voir cornée (homonymie). coupe longitudinale de l épiderme faisant apparaître la stratum corneum en haut …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Stratum corneum — The stratum corneum as a rule refers to the outermost layer of the epidermis, which is itself the outer layer of the skin. The full name of the stratum corneum of the skin is the stratum corneum epidermidis. The other stratum corneum, the stratum …   Medical dictionary

  • Stratum corneum — raginis sluoksnis statusas T sritis kūno danga atitikmenys: lot. Stratum corneum ryšiai: platesnis terminas – paviršinis odos sluoksnis …   Paukščių anatomijos terminai

  • Stratum corneum — raginis sluoksnis statusas T sritis histologija, ląstelių chemija, histologinė chemija, audinių kultūra atitikmenys: lot. Stratum corneum ryšiai: platesnis terminas – odos daugiasluoksnis plokščiasis ragėjantysis epitelis siauresnis terminas –… …   Veterinarinės anatomijos, histologijos ir embriologijos terminai

  • Stratum corneum — raginis sluoksnis statusas T sritis histologija atitikmenys: lot. Stratum corneum ryšiai: platesnis terminas – kūnas …   Medicininės histologijos ir embriologijos vardynas

  • Stratum corneum — raginis sluoksnis statusas T sritis histologija atitikmenys: lot. Stratum corneum ryšiai: platesnis terminas – odos daugiasluoksnis plokščiasis ragėjantysis epitelis siauresnis terminas – atsiskiriantis sluoksnis siauresnis terminas – plokščiasis …   Medicininės histologijos ir embriologijos vardynas

  • stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme — [EC 3.4.21.117] a serine endopeptidase that is abundant in the stratum corneum and together with stratum corneum tryptic enzyme catalyzes degradation of the constituent proteins of corneodesmosomes, which is necessary for desquamation …   Medical dictionary

  • stratum corneum tryptic enzyme — a serine endopeptidase that is abundant in the stratum corneum and together with stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme catalyzes degradation of the constituent proteins of corneodesmosomes, which is necessary for desquamation. An excess of this… …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”