Stratum corneum

The stratum corneum (Latin for 'horny layer') is the outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead cells (corneocytes). This layer is composed of 15-20 layers of flattened cells with no nuclei and cell organelles. Their cytoplasm shows birefringent filamentous scleroprotein keratin. The stratum corneum is composed of three lipid components: ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids.