- Stratum germinativum
Infobox Anatomy
Name = Stratum germinativum
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Caption = Section of epidermis.
Caption2 = A diagrammatic sectional view of the skin (magnified).
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MeshNumber =Stratum germinativum (also stratum basale or basal cell layer) is the layer of
keratinocytes that lies at the base of the epidermis immediately above thedermis . It consists of a single layer of tall, simple columnar epithelial cells lying on abasement membrane . These cells undergo rapid cell division,mitosis , to replenish the regular loss of skin by shedding from the surface. About 25% of the cells aremelanocytes , which producemelanin , which provides pigmentation for skin and hair.Pathology
All melanocytes have the capacity to migrate widely in the embryo, and therefore a cancer of a melanocyte, a
melanoma , will spread (metastasize ) very easily. For this reason, melanomas are often fatal, and, when, surgically removed, a lot of surrounding tissue must be taken as well.Albinism is a recessive hereditary condition in which the melanocytes do not produce melanin. People appear very pale, and, depending on the type of albinism, may also lack of pigment in the iris of the eye, causing the irises to appear pink or violet due to visibility of the underlying blood vessels. In the most commonly-inherited form of albinism, the eyes are blue.Basal cell carcinoma is a relatively benign form ofskin cancer (but it is still considered malignant), which arises from this layer of cells.
=AdditionalExternal links
* [http://www.skincancer.org/content/view/21/80/ Information on Basal Cell Carcinoma from The Skin Cancer Foundation]
* - "Integument: thick skin"
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