stratum corneum

noun

The outer layer of the epidermis, composed of dead cells that continually flake away.

Similar
corneumhorny layer
OriginLatin strātum →
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Meanings

nounstratum corneum (plural strata cornea)

plural strata cornea

  1. anatomyThe outer layer of the epidermis, composed of dead cells that continually flake away.

    The outermost surface of the epidermis, called the stratum corneum, is made up entirely of dead cells.

    2019, Bill Bryson, The Body: A Guide for Occupants, Black Swan (2020), page 4

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe outermost layer of the epidermis consisting of dead cells that slough off

Similar
corneumhorny layer
Broader
stratum
Also see
corneum

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Latinstrātum
  2. Englishstratum corneum

From Latin strātum ("blanket, bedspread") + corne∙us -a -um ("made of horn; horn-like"), from corn∙ū -ūs ("horn") + -eus.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish sarveiskerros, keratiinikerros
  • sarveiskerrosouter layer of the epidermis
  • keratiinikerrosouter layer of the epidermis
  • marraskesiouter layer of the epidermis
Cite this entry
APA

stratum corneum. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/stratum%20corneum

MLA

“stratum corneum.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/stratum%20corneum. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “stratum corneum,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/stratum%20corneum.

Source: stratum corneum on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.