suprabasalcellerne

Suprabasal cells are a layer of cells found in stratified squamous epithelium. This type of tissue lines various surfaces in the body, including the skin, the oral cavity, the esophagus, and the vagina. The term "suprabasal" literally means "above the basal layer." The basal layer, also known as the stratum basale or stratum germinativum, is the deepest layer of the epidermis and is responsible for cell division and renewal.

The suprabasal cells are located directly above the basal layer. As cells from the basal layer divide and mature, they migrate upwards, differentiating as they go. The suprabasal layers represent an intermediate stage in this differentiation process. These cells are typically larger and flatter than the basal cells. They begin to accumulate keratin, a tough fibrous protein that is a major component of skin and other epithelial tissues.

The precise number of suprabasal layers can vary depending on the specific location and the functional demands of the tissue. In thicker epithelia, there may be multiple suprabasal layers, collectively referred to as the stratum spinosum or prickle cell layer due to the spiny appearance of the cells when viewed under a microscope, a result of desmosomal connections that persist as they flatten. The cells in these suprabasal layers are still metabolically active but are progressively losing their ability to divide. Their primary role is to continue the process of keratinization, preparing for their final transformation into the flattened, keratin-filled cells of the outermost layer, the stratum corneum.