SKIN 01A

Here, at higher magnification, is the region around "*" in SKIN 01. Numbers "1", "2", "3", and "4" indicate, respectively, the stratum corneum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale of the epidermis. The brownish coloring around the nuclei of most of the cells of the s. basale reflects the presence of numerous melanin granules, whose light absorbing characteristics serve to protect the genetic material of the basal cells from UV-light induced damage. The epidermis shows a typically-irregular basal contour, with dermal papillae (the papillary connective tissue is indicated at "d") "projecting" up into the folds of the epidermis. This "tongue and groove" pattern is thought to strengthen the adhesion of the epidermis to the dermis.

Slide M-1, upper region of field L26/L27 of finder slide B, 40X objective