Is the third layer of the epidermis the basement membrane? Is this also called the stratum basale layer?
1 Answer
No, basement membrane is not the third layer of epidermis. And stratum basale is not basement membrane.
Explanation:
The skin is the heaviest organ of our body, It is composed of epidermis and dermis. The hypodermis, a layer of loose connective tissue beneath the dermis is not considered as a part of the skin.
The epidermis is a stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. It consists of 5 layers of Keratin-producing cells (keratinocytes) . From the dermis outward these are :
1. Stratum Basale
2. Stratum Spinosum
3. Stratum Granulosum
4. Stratum Lucidum
5. Stratum Corneum
The diagram below shows different layers of epidermis. The numbers 1 to 5 in the left indicates 5 layers as mentioned earlier.
The basement membrane of epidermis is also can be seen in this diagram. The basal layer (stratum basale) rests upon it.
