An examination of cellular organization within the stratum corneum by a silver staining method

Abstract

The pattern of organization and cellular architecture of the stratum corneum has been examined by silver staining sheets of epidermis and other keratinizing epithelia after separation from the connective tissue by NaBr. Most specimens of epidermis demonstrated an ordered pattern of closely packed polygons formed by the alignment and superimposition of several layers of flattened cells, each of similar outline form, with a small, regular overlap between adjoining cellular units. This pattern was shown to correspond to a columnar pattern of organization as demonstrated by the expansion of frozen sections of epidermis. An ordered pattern of organization was not apparent in keratinizing mucosal epithelia or in specialized areas of epidermis such as those of plantar or palmar surfaces.