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Lip: Comparison of epithelia
These images compare the epithelia of the vermillion zone (left) with that of the lining mucosa (right). (Iron hematoxylin/alcian blue stain) 400x
![Vermillion zone > <p>The vermillion zone forms the red portion of the lip and like the skin on the surface of the lip, the epithelium here is keratinized and a stratum granulosum is present. Imparting the red color to this region are the numerous, dermal papillae that allow close approximation of blood vessels to the surface. </p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Or.Dig_.OC_.Lip-1A-1-ping-1.png)
Vermillion zone >
The vermillion zone forms the red portion of the lip and like the skin on the surface of the lip, the epithelium here is keratinized and a stratum granulosum is present. Imparting the red color to this region are the numerous, dermal papillae that allow close approximation of blood vessels to the surface.
![- Stratum granulosum <p>The vermillion zone forms the red portion of the lip and like the skin on the surface of the lip, the epithelium here is keratinized and a stratum granulosum is present. Imparting the red color to this region are the numerous, dermal papillae that allow close approximation of blood vessels to the surface. </p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Or.Dig_.OC_.Lip-1A-2-ping-1.png)
- Stratum granulosum
The vermillion zone forms the red portion of the lip and like the skin on the surface of the lip, the epithelium here is keratinized and a stratum granulosum is present. Imparting the red color to this region are the numerous, dermal papillae that allow close approximation of blood vessels to the surface.
![- Dermal papillae <p>The vermillion zone forms the red portion of the lip and like the skin on the surface of the lip, the epithelium here is keratinized and a stratum granulosum is present. Imparting the red color to this region are the numerous, dermal papillae that allow close approximation of blood vessels to the surface. </p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Or.Dig_.OC_.Lip-1A-3-ping-1.png)
- Dermal papillae
The vermillion zone forms the red portion of the lip and like the skin on the surface of the lip, the epithelium here is keratinized and a stratum granulosum is present. Imparting the red color to this region are the numerous, dermal papillae that allow close approximation of blood vessels to the surface.
![- Blood vessels <p>The vermillion zone forms the red portion of the lip and like the skin on the surface of the lip, the epithelium here is keratinized and a stratum granulosum is present. Imparting the red color to this region are the numerous, dermal papillae that allow close approximation of blood vessels to the surface. </p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Or.Dig_.OC_.Lip-1A-4-ping-1.png)
- Blood vessels
The vermillion zone forms the red portion of the lip and like the skin on the surface of the lip, the epithelium here is keratinized and a stratum granulosum is present. Imparting the red color to this region are the numerous, dermal papillae that allow close approximation of blood vessels to the surface.
![Oral (lining) mucosa > <p>Lining mucosa, surfaced by a thick stratified squamous moist epithelium, lines the inner surface of the lip. The epithelium of the lining mucosa lacks a stratum granulosum.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Or.Dig_.OC_.Lip-1A-5-ping-1.png)
Oral (lining) mucosa >
Lining mucosa, surfaced by a thick stratified squamous moist epithelium, lines the inner surface of the lip. The epithelium of the lining mucosa lacks a stratum granulosum.
![Image source > <p>These images were taken of a slide from the University of Virginia collection.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/UVa-source-ping-plural.png)
Image source >
These images were taken of a slide from the University of Virginia collection.