CORNIFIED LAYER-RABBIT

The outer most cells on the skin surface are thin,dead and fully keratinised. They form a horny or cornified layer called stratum corneum. It is especially thick on soles and palms.The outer portion of this layer is constantly being worn away,the dandruff is a familiar .News cells are constantly added from when the granular cells become horny and die. This dead layer is tough ,prevents mechanical injuries and fungal and bacterial attacka,and reduces water loss from the body. The outer surface of epidermis contains minute openings of sweat glands and hair follicles.

STRUCTURE OF SKIN-RABBIT

The skin of rabbit is also built of two main parts -an outer epidermis and an inner dermis.
EPIDERMIS-It is the outer thin stratified epithelium developed from the embryonic ectoderm.The epidermis consist of malpighian layer and the superficial cornified layer.
(a)MALPIGHIAN LAYER-The malpighian layer,or stratum malpighii is divided into (1)SRRATUM GERMINATIVUM-The germinal layer is the innermost layer in contact with the basement membrane secreatedby the underlying dermis.Its cells are columnar,arranged in a single row one cell thick,and continually divide mitotically adding new cells to the epidermis
.

STRATUM SPINOSUM-Its lies above the germinal layer and is also called the transitional layer. It is several layer thick and made of polyhedral cells.these cells are gradually pushed outwards,they become flattened and keratinized due to deposition of a horny scleroprotein known as keratin.
STRARUM GRANULOSUM-The cells in the upper part of stratum spinosum form the granular layer containing keratohyalin granules. It is developed in parts of the body having thick epidermis such nas the palms and the soles.
STRATUM LUCIDUM-Above granular layer in palms ther is non-stainable layer of shiny and refracitle cells.