Differences between location, functions & development of different skin cells
Cells of skin | Location | Functions | Development |
Keratinocytes | New skin cells develop at the bottom layer of your epidermis (stratum basale) and travel up through the other layers as they get older. | It forms barrier against environmental damage by heat, UV radiation, dehydration, pathogenic bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. | Surface ectoderm |
Melanocytes | Stratum basale | Melanocytes are well known for their role in skin pigmentation, and their ability to produce and distribute melanin has been studied extensively | Neural crest |
Langerhans cells | Stratum spinosum | These cells act as the outermost guard of the cutaneous immune system and are likely to induce the first reactions against pathogens encountered via the skin | Fetal Langerhans cells from Primitive yolk sac in fetal life , in adult Langerhans cells from fetal monocytes |
Merkel cells | Stratum basale | It is also known as tactile epithelial cells, which is an oval-shaped mechanoreceptors essential for light touch sensation | Surface ectoderm |
