Another term for the horny layer is the ______.

• A. Stratum germinativum
• B. Papillary layer
• C. Stratum corneum
• D. Dermal layer

Answer: (C)

The horny layer is the outermost part of the skin’s epidermis, called the stratum corneum. It is made up of flattened, dead keratinocytes filled with keratin, tightly packed to form a tough, water-resistant barrier that protects underlying tissues and helps prevent water loss. The other terms refer to different skin regions: the stratum germinativum (basal layer) is where cells divide to renew the epidermis; the papillary layer is in the dermis just beneath the epidermis; and the dermal layer refers to the broader dermis, not the epidermal horn. Therefore, the correct term for the horny layer is the stratum corneum.