The epidermis is the thin layer at the surface that varies in thickness from 0.05 mm on the eyelids to 1.5 mm on the palms of the feet. The top of the epidermis is called the cornified layer, and it contains thickened dead squamous cells.

What layer of the skin can the Cornified layer be located?

The stratum corneum is the most superficial layer of the epidermis and is the layer exposed to the outside environment (see Figure 5.5). The increased keratinization (also called cornification) of the cells in this layer gives it its name. There are usually 15 to 30 layers of cells in the stratum corneum.

Where is the keratin layer?

Your epidermis is the top layer of the skin that you can see and touch. Keratin, a protein inside skin cells, makes up the skin cells and, along with other proteins, sticks together to form this layer.