
Stratum basale: melanocytes
Melanocytes, identified by their clear cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei, synthesize melanin-containing melanosomes, which are transferred to the keratinocytes of stratum basale. Some melanosomes are retained in keratinocytes as these cells migrate upward. Stratum spinosum is much thinner in this thin skin than it is in thick skin. 1000x

Melanocytes
Melanocytes, identified by their clear cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei, synthesize melanin-containing melanosomes, which are transferred to the keratinocytes of stratum basale. Some melanosomes are retained in keratinocytes as these cells migrate upward. Stratum spinosum is much thinner in this thin skin than it is in thick skin. 1000x

- Melanin
Melanocytes, identified by their clear cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei, synthesize melanin-containing melanosomes, which are transferred to the keratinocytes of stratum basale. Some melanosomes are retained in keratinocytes as these cells migrate upward. Stratum spinosum is much thinner in this thin skin than it is in thick skin. 1000x

Stratum basale
Melanocytes, identified by their clear cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei, synthesize melanin-containing melanosomes, which are transferred to the keratinocytes of stratum basale. Some melanosomes are retained in keratinocytes as these cells migrate upward. Stratum spinosum is much thinner in this thin skin than it is in thick skin. 1000x

Stratum spinosum
Melanocytes, identified by their clear cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei, synthesize melanin-containing melanosomes, which are transferred to the keratinocytes of stratum basale. Some melanosomes are retained in keratinocytes as these cells migrate upward. Stratum spinosum is much thinner in this thin skin than it is in thick skin. 1000x

Stratum granulosum
Melanocytes, identified by their clear cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei, synthesize melanin-containing melanosomes, which are transferred to the keratinocytes of stratum basale. Some melanosomes are retained in keratinocytes as these cells migrate upward. Stratum spinosum is much thinner in this thin skin than it is in thick skin. 1000x

Stratum corneum
Melanocytes, identified by their clear cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei, synthesize melanin-containing melanosomes, which are transferred to the keratinocytes of stratum basale. Some melanosomes are retained in keratinocytes as these cells migrate upward. Stratum spinosum is much thinner in this thin skin than it is in thick skin. 1000x

Papillary layer of dermis
Melanocytes, identified by their clear cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei, synthesize melanin-containing melanosomes, which are transferred to the keratinocytes of stratum basale. Some melanosomes are retained in keratinocytes as these cells migrate upward. Stratum spinosum is much thinner in this thin skin than it is in thick skin. 1000x