[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Histology](https://durgical.com/en/histology/) › [Skin and breast](https://durgical.com/en/histology/#a-integument) › Skin: epidermis layers, dermis, hypodermis

[Histology](https://durgical.com/en/histology/) · [Skin and breast](https://durgical.com/en/histology/#a-integument)

# Skin: epidermis layers, dermis, hypodermis

- Organ

Skin has an outer epidermis of stacked cells, a strong dermis of collagen with vessels and nerves, and a fatty hypodermis underneath.

Updated 2026-11-01

**See it in 3D:** [Skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/)

## Key points

- Epidermal layers from deep to surface: basale, spinosum, granulosum, (lucidum), corneum.
- Stratum lucidum exists only in thick skin of palms and soles.
- The epidermis has no blood vessels; it is fed by diffusion from dermal papillae.
- Papillary dermis is loose connective tissue; reticular dermis is dense irregular connective tissue (mostly type I collagen).
- Burn depth and melanoma thickness are both judged by how far into these layers the damage goes.
- Thin skin has hair; thick skin (palms, soles) has a thick corneum and no hair.

## What it is

The epidermis is a keratinised stratified squamous epithelium with no blood vessels; its cells are born in the basal layer and move up, fill with keratin and die as they reach the surface. The dermis below is connective tissue: a loose papillary layer that interlocks with the epidermis and a dense reticular layer that gives strength. The hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue) is fat and loose connective tissue that cushions and insulates.

## Structure

- Dermal papillae and epidermal rete ridges interlock and resist shearing.
- Papillary dermis holds capillary loops and Meissner corpuscles; reticular dermis holds hair follicles, glands and larger vessels.
- Hypodermis contains fat lobules, larger vessels and Pacinian corpuscles.

## Function

- Barrier against water loss, microbes and UV light.
- Temperature control by sweat and dermal blood flow.
- Sensation, vitamin D synthesis and immune surveillance.

## Epidermal layers, from deep to surface

| Layer | What you see | What happens there |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stratum basale | One row of cuboidal to columnar cells on the basement membrane, with melanocytes and Merkel cells | Stem cells divide; hemidesmosomes anchor the epidermis to the dermis |
| Stratum spinosum | Several rows of polygonal cells that look spiny because of desmosomes | Keratin filaments build up; Langerhans cells patrol here |
| Stratum granulosum | A few rows of flattened cells with dark basophilic keratohyalin granules | Cells release lipid from lamellar bodies to form the water barrier and begin to die |
| Stratum lucidum | A thin clear band, only in thick skin | Dead, flattened cells packed with keratin precursors |
| Stratum corneum | Many layers of flat, anucleate pink scales | Dead keratin-filled cells form the barrier and are shed |

## Clinical notes

- Psoriasis: thick epidermis with nuclei kept in the corneum (parakeratosis) and a thin or absent granular layer.
- Superficial burns affect only the epidermis; partial-thickness burns reach the dermis and blister; full-thickness burns destroy both.
- Melanoma thickness (Breslow) is measured in millimetres from the granular layer down to the deepest tumour cell.

## Memory aid

From bottom to top, the cells go up in their career: they are Born in the basale, get Spiny in the spinosum, Grainy in the granulosum, Lucid only in thick skin, and retire Corny at the surface.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What are the epidermal layers, from deep to superficial, in thick skin?

Stratum basale, spinosum, granulosum, lucidum and corneum; thin skin lacks the lucidum.

## Why do cells of the stratum spinosum look spiny on light microscopy?

Shrinkage during processing pulls cells apart except where desmosomes hold them, leaving spine-like bridges.

## What is the main difference between the papillary and reticular dermis?

The papillary dermis is thin loose connective tissue with capillaries; the reticular dermis is thick dense irregular tissue that gives strength.

## Which burn depth produces blisters?

A partial-thickness (second-degree) burn, which damages the epidermis and part of the dermis.

[Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/histology/skin-epidermis-layers-dermis-hypodermis/)

## See it in 3D

The structures of Durgical's 3D anatomy where it is found.

- [Skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/)

## Related

- [Keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans and Merkel cells](https://durgical.com/en/histology/keratinocytes-melanocytes-langerhans-and-merkel-cells/)
- [Hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands, nails](https://durgical.com/en/histology/hair-follicles-sebaceous-and-sweat-glands-nails/)
- [Wound healing: phases and scar](https://durgical.com/en/histology/wound-healing-phases-and-scar/)
- [Where blisters form: pemphigus vs pemphigoid](https://durgical.com/en/histology/where-blisters-form-pemphigus-vs-pemphigoid/)
- [Simple, stratified, pseudostratified and transitional epithelium](https://durgical.com/en/histology/simple-stratified-pseudostratified-and-transitional-epithelium/)

[← All of histology](https://durgical.com/en/histology/)

Educational content on normal microscopic structure and its clinical relevance; no substitute for studying slides or for a health professional's advice.

Sources: [5.1 Layers of the Skin - Anatomy and Physiology 2e | OpenStax](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/5-1-layers-of-the-skin) (OpenStax, Rice University, 2022); [Anatomy of the Skin](https://training.seer.cancer.gov/melanoma/anatomy/) (National Cancer Institute, SEER Training Modules, 2024); [5.4 Diseases, Disorders, and Injuries of the Integumentary System - Anatomy and Physiology 2e | OpenStax](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/5-4-diseases-disorders-and-injuries-of-the-integumentary-system) (OpenStax, Rice University, 2022).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/histology/skin-epidermis-layers-dermis-hypodermis/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/histology/skin-epidermis-layers-dermis-hypodermis/