Epidermis lacks its own blood vessels. Which term describes this characteristic?

Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Epidermis lacks its own blood vessels. Which term describes this characteristic?

The epidermis is avascular, meaning it has no blood vessels of its own and relies on diffusion from the blood vessels in the dermis to receive nutrients and oxygen. The term that best describes how the epidermis gets its blood supply is the one referring to the epidermis’ blood supply, since it highlights that the epidermis does not supply its own vessels and is nourished from below. The other options refer to a structure at the dermal-epidermal junction (basal membrane), a specific epidermal layer (stratum lucidum), or a protein found in skin cells (keratin), none of which describe how the epidermis obtains nourishment.

The epidermis is avascular, meaning it has no blood vessels of its own and relies on diffusion from the blood vessels in the dermis to receive nutrients and oxygen. The term that best describes how the epidermis gets its blood supply is the one referring to the epidermis’ blood supply, since it highlights that the epidermis does not supply its own vessels and is nourished from below. The other options refer to a structure at the dermal-epidermal junction (basal membrane), a specific epidermal layer (stratum lucidum), or a protein found in skin cells (keratin), none of which describe how the epidermis obtains nourishment.

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