what is the function of the stratum corneum
The stratum corneum (or outermost layer of skin) provides the under layers of skin with protection from things like, drying out, becoming damaged, allowing infections to penetrate, etc. The stratum corneum is 20-30 cells layers thick and accounts for about 3/4 the thickness of the epidermis.
The outer skin layer is the epidermis, containing five layers of cells. The stratum corneum, which is the outermost epidermal layer, consists of dead cells and is the major barrier to chemical transfer through the skin. Although nonpolar chemicals cross the skin by diffusion...