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HISTOLOGY / REFERENCE GALLERY1 / 2 references
Part A is a micrograph showing a cross section of thin skin. The topmost layer is a thin, translucent layer with irregular texture and areas where cells are sloughing off. The deepest layer is dark purple and extends into the third layer with finger like projections. The third light purple layer contains thin bands of fibers and small, dark cells. The fourth, and deepest layer, is darker than the third layer, but is still light purple. It contains thick fiber bands that are loosely packed. Part B is a magnified view of the epidermis of thick skin. It shows the topmost layer is five times thicker than the topmost layer of thin skin. The topmost layer of thick skin is also denser and less translucent than the topmost layer of thin skin.
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Epidermis

Locate epidermis on this anatomical reference. Read the original plate labels to confirm the view and adjacent structures.

Zoom in, then drag to inspect. Keyboard: + / − to zoom, arrows to pan, 0 to reset. Tap the numbered markers to explore parts.

Part A is a micrograph showing a cross section of thin skin. The topmost layer is a thin, translucent layer with irregular texture and areas where cells are sloughing off. The deepest layer is dark purple and extends into the third layer with finger like projections. The third light purple layer contains thin bands of fibers and small, dark cells. The fourth, and deepest layer, is darker than the third layer, but is still light purple. It contains thick fiber bands that are loosely packed. Part B is a magnified view of the epidermis of thick skin. It shows the topmost layer is five times thicker than the topmost layer of thin skin. The topmost layer of thick skin is also denser and less translucent than the topmost layer of thin skin.

Image: OpenStax / University of Hawaiʻi adapted teaching figures; original contributors credited at source · Source / original · CC BY 4.0 — figure credits at source

Numbered markers and focused views are Mediveerse learning overlays; the original reference is linked above.

Thick skin

Skin & appendages

Thick skin

STRUCTURE & FUNCTION

Understand what you see.

Protects high-friction palmar and plantar surfaces.

Zoom into the original labels. Practise pointing out each structure, then explain it aloud. Diagrams are teaching references; specimen appearance and slide staining vary.

01 / IDENTIFICATION

How to recognise it.

  1. Very thick stratum corneum
  2. Stratum lucidum may be identifiable
  3. Hair follicles are absent
02 / KEY STRUCTURES

Point them out.

Tap a number to open its reference, zoom in and locate the structure. Numbers stay the same across views. This key follows landmarks visible in the reference images.

Related features & study points (1)

Additional relations, attachments or microscopic details to revise alongside this plate. These are separate from its numbered image landmarks.

  • Stratum lucidum
03 / VIVA PRACTICE

Think first. Then reveal.

Say your answer aloud before opening the suggested response.

01How do you identify thick skin?
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Very thick stratum corneum. Stratum lucidum may be identifiable. Hair follicles are absent.

02Does thick skin mean the entire dermis must always be thicker?
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Histological thick skin refers principally to the thick epidermis and its characteristic layers.

03Which appendages are absent?
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Hair follicles and their associated sebaceous glands; sweat glands are abundant.

04Which structures should you point out on this reference?
SUGGESTED ANSWER

Stratum corneum; Stratum lucidum; Eccrine sweat glands. Protects high-friction palmar and plantar surfaces.

Read the references.

Credited anatomical plates, microscopy and university teaching references. Individual image credits appear below the viewer. Historical plates can use older terminology; use the lesson text for current names.