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Skin anatomy

Epidermis

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

Illustration showing the layers of human skin, helping to understand how our body protects us.

The outer layer of our skin is called the epidermis. It is the top part that we can see and touch. The epidermis works hard to keep us safe and comfortable every day.

The epidermis is made of many flat cells that stack up in layers. These cells start at the bottom and move up, changing as they go. By the time they reach the top, they become flat and filled with a special material that helps keep our skin strong and dry.

One of the most important jobs of the epidermis is to protect us. It helps stop tiny germs from getting inside our body and keeps our skin from drying out. It also helps us feel when something touches our skin, thanks to special cells that are sensitive to touch.

The word epidermis comes from ancient words meaning “over the skin.” Scientists study the epidermis to learn how to keep our skin healthy. They can even grow skin cells in a lab to test new medicines safely.

Images

A detailed diagram showing the layers and structure of human skin with clear labels.
Diagram showing the different layers of the epidermis, the outer layer of human skin.

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Epidermis, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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