What term refers to the outermost layer of skin that is dead and constantly shed?

The outermost layer of skin, characterized as being composed of dead cells that are continually shed, is known as the stratum corneum. This layer serves as a protective barrier for the underlying layers of skin and plays a crucial role in preventing water loss and shielding the body from environmental factors such as pathogens and pollutants.

As skin cells move up toward the surface, they undergo a process called keratinization, where they become filled with keratin, a protein that helps protect the skin. The cells in the stratum corneum are flattened, anucleated, and eventually desquamate or slough off, making way for new cells to emerge from the layers beneath.

The other layers mentioned, such as the stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, and stratum germinativum, play different roles in skin structure and function. The stratum lucidum, for example, is found only in certain areas of thick skin, while the stratum granulosum is responsible for the initial stages of keratinization. The stratum germinativum, also known as the basal layer, is where new skin cells are produced. Each of these layers contributes to skin health and protection, but it is the stratum