| Term | Definition |
| keratinocytes | keratin cells |
| melanocytes | spider-shaped epithelial cells synthesize pigment melanin |
| epidermal dendritic cells | arise from bone marrow and migrate to epidermis -- Langerhans cells |
| tactile cells | sensory receptor for touch, present at epidermal-dermal junction -- Merkel cells |
| thick skin | covers palms, fingertips, soles of feet; five layers of strata |
| thin skin | covers rest of body; four layers of strata -- no stratum lucidum |
| stratum basale | single row of stem cells -- youngest keratinocytes |
| stratum spinosum | several cell layers thick -- keratinocytes have spines -- web-like system of intermediate filaments |
| stratum granulosum | three to five cell layers -- keratinization begins -- two types of granules |
| stratum lucidum | two or three rows of clear, flat dead keratinocytes -- superficial to granulosum -- |
| stratum corneum | 20 to 30 cell layers of dead, flat keratinized membranous sacs |
| keratohyaline granules | form keratin in upper layers |
| lamellated granules | water-resistant glycolipid, slows water loss across epidermis |