Which cells in the outermost layer resemble bricks?

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

Which cells in the outermost layer resemble bricks?

The outermost skin layer is the stratum corneum, made up of flattened, dead keratinocytes called corneocytes. These cells are filled with keratin and closely packed together, forming a brick-like arrangement in a lipid-rich matrix that acts as mortar. This brick-and-mortar structure provides a strong, protective barrier while allowing shedding of cells. The other options don’t fit this layer: keratin is the protein inside the cells, adipose tissue is fat located deeper in the hypodermis, and the basal membrane is a separator between epidermis and dermis, not a feature of the outermost layer.

The outermost skin layer is the stratum corneum, made up of flattened, dead keratinocytes called corneocytes. These cells are filled with keratin and closely packed together, forming a brick-like arrangement in a lipid-rich matrix that acts as mortar. This brick-and-mortar structure provides a strong, protective barrier while allowing shedding of cells. The other options don’t fit this layer: keratin is the protein inside the cells, adipose tissue is fat located deeper in the hypodermis, and the basal membrane is a separator between epidermis and dermis, not a feature of the outermost layer.

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