Stratified Squamous Epithelium
- The cells in the deepest layer are columnar or cuboidal and have oval nuclei. This layer is called stratum germinativum.
- The cells of this layer mitotically divide and give rise to new cells which shifts outward to form intermediate layers.
- The superficial layers which are named squamous layer possess flat cells with transversely elongated nuclei.
- Squamous layers can be of the following types:
- Keratinized stratified epithelium- The cells replace their cytoplasm with a water-impermeable protein called keratin in a process called keratinisation. These dead cells are called stratum corneum or horny layer. This layer is shed at intervals. It is found in the epidermis of skin of land vertebrates to check the water loss.
- Non- keratinized stratified squamous epithelium- The cells of this epithelium does not have keratin and are unable to check water loss. It is present in the oral cavity, tongue, pharynx, oesophagus, lower parts of the urethra, vocal cords, vagina, cervix, the inner surface of the eyelids and cornea of the eye.
The outermost layer in the epidermis of the skin consists of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium cells.
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