What is the outermost layer of skin called?

What is the outermost layer of skin called?

• A. Dermis
• B. Hypodermis
• C. Epidermis
• D. Stratum corneum

Answer: (C)

Skin has three main tissue layers. The outermost of these is the epidermis, which forms the surface you touch and acts as the primary barrier to the environment and water loss. Within the epidermis is the stratum corneum—the very top sublayer made of dead, keratin-packed cells that you shed as you move. This means the stratum corneum sits at the surface, but it is still part of the epidermis, not the whole skin layer itself. Deeper is the dermis, providing strength and elasticity, and beneath that is the hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue), which anchors the skin and stores fat. So the outermost layer of skin is the epidermis.

Skin has three main tissue layers. The outermost of these is the epidermis, which forms the surface you touch and acts as the primary barrier to the environment and water loss. Within the epidermis is the stratum corneum—the very top sublayer made of dead, keratin-packed cells that you shed as you move. This means the stratum corneum sits at the surface, but it is still part of the epidermis, not the whole skin layer itself. Deeper is the dermis, providing strength and elasticity, and beneath that is the hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue), which anchors the skin and stores fat. So the outermost layer of skin is the epidermis.