ihearthisto: A hidden Link in a Skin Callus The chances of stumbling upon a microscopic Legend
ihearthisto: A hidden Link in a Skin Callus The chances of stumbling upon a microscopic Legend of Zelda character are Hylian-likely. (No pun Nintendo) i♡histo This image shows the thickened stratum corneum of the epidermis that was excised from a hard callus on the skin. The swirls of fibrous material are bundles of keratin fibers. Keratin is a fibrous protein known in most cells as ‘intermediate filaments’ - due to the fact that they are a type of cytoskeletal structural protein fiber that is ‘intermediate’ in size to the other types of cytoskeletal protein fibers - microtubules and actin. Keratin is made by most cells, but those that make the most are the cells that from the epidermis of your skin. These cells are so good at making this protein that they are actually called ‘keratinocytes’. The keratinocytes in your skin are organized into layers from most immature located in the deepest layers of your epidermis to most mature closest to the surface. The most mature cells eventually die and release the keratin fibers they have been making onto the surface of your skin forming a thick protective cornified layer (stratum corneum). This layer of keratin is great at protecting the rest of your epidermis and deeper areas of your skin from the harsh, cruel world outside of your body. The cells dying and releasing keratin at the surface of your skin are gradually replaced by the maturing cells in the deeper regions. This occurs in a 24 day cycle - which essentially means that every month your skin is completely replaced. Keratin is also the stuff your hair and nails are made of. Its the stuff from which hooves and claws and scales are constructed. And it’s whirly organization in this thick, keratinized callus resembles a face in profile. Any classic gamers out there might recognize the face of Link from Legend of Zelda. Histology from the microscope of @riekephoenix -- source link
#histology#microscopy