The Stratum Spinosum is a layer of
skin located within the epidermis.
(The skin is also known as the "integument",
or "integumentary
system").
More specifically, the stratum spinosum is a layer
of the epidermis (outer-skin) that consists of 8-10 layers of many-sided
(as opposed to flat, e.g. as in the stratum
granulosum) keratinocytes.
These keratinocytes in the stratum spinosum have spine-like projections,
hence the name of this layer:
“
Spinosum” means “thorn-like, or prickly”.
Other components of the stratum spinosum include Langerhans cells and
some projections of melanocytes.
To view the location of stratum spinosum
relative to the other key components of the skin see:
Diagram
of the Structure of the Skin. This may be of particular interest
to students of courses in massage,
reflexology, beauty therapies, and other clinical courses. |
