The layer consisting of tightly packed, scale-like cells that are continuously shed and replaced by new cells is

• A. Stratum lucidum
• B. Stratum granulosum
• C. Stratum corneum
• D. Stratum germinativum

Answer: (C)

The outermost epidermal layer that provides the protective barrier is the one described here. It is made up of corneocytes—dead, flattened, scale-like cells that are highly keratinized. These cells are continuously shed in a process called desquamation and are replenished by new cells that originate in the deeper epidermal layers and migrate upward. This combination of tightly packed, scale-like cells and constant turnover fits stratum corneum perfectly, which is why it serves as the skin’s main protective surface. In contrast, the granular layer involves cells that are still undergoing keratinization, the basal layer is where cells divide, and the lucidum is an extra layer present only in thick skin, so they don’t match the description as well.