On a macroscopic level, skin is divisible into an epidermis , dermis and hypodermis , from outside in.
Gross anatomists refer to the hypodermis as the superficial fascia .
This is the part of the skin contacting the external environment. It is epithelium of the stratified squamous type and is keratinized. A single layer of columnar cells resting on the basal laminae. These cells are highly mitiotic and give rise to the cells seen in the stratum spinosum. Layer of variable thickness consisting of more flattened cells.