<P> The stratified squamous epithelium is maintained by cell division within the stratum basale . Differentiating cell delaminate from the basement membrane and are displaced outwards through the epidermal layers , undergoing multiple stages of differentiation until , in the stratum corneum , losing their nucleus and fusing to squamous sheets , which are eventually shed from the surface ( desquamation ) . Differentiated keratinocytes secrete keratin proteins which contribute to the formation of an extracellular matrix and is an integral part of the skin barrier function . In normal skin , the rate of keratinocyte production equals the rate of loss , taking about two weeks for a cell to journey from the stratum basale to the top of the stratum granulosum , and an additional four weeks to cross the stratum corneum . The entire epidermis is replaced by new cell growth over a period of about 48 days . </P>
<P> The stratified squamous epithelium is maintained by cell division within the stratum basale . Differentiating cell delaminate from the basement membrane and are displaced outwards through the epidermal layers , undergoing multiple stages of differentiation until , in the stratum corneum , losing their nucleus and fusing to squamous sheets , which are eventually shed from the surface ( desquamation ) . Differentiated keratinocytes secrete keratin proteins which contribute to the formation of an extracellular matrix and is an integral part of the skin barrier function . In normal skin , the rate of keratinocyte production equals the rate of loss , taking about two weeks for a cell to journey from the stratum basale to the top of the stratum granulosum , and an additional four weeks to cross the stratum corneum . The entire epidermis is replaced by new cell growth over a period of about 48 days . </P>
which layer of the epidermis is responsible for cell division and replacement
which layer of the epidermis is responsible for cell division and replacement
the stratum basale
the stratum basale