epidermis (epidermis)

[ cells in one more layers, cohering into a pellicle, which readily peels off and is constantly being shed and renewed. It is derived from the epiblast, and is entered by fine nerve-fibrils, but by no blood-ve els. The following strata are recognized, from without inward: stratum corneum, stratum granulosum, and stratum spinosum. See cuts under skin and sweat - gland. 2. In zoöl., broadly, some or any outermost integument or tegumentary covering or envelop of the body, body, or some part of the body: a term nearly synonymous with exoskeleton. Thus, nails, claws, hoofs, horns, scales, feathers, etc., consist of much thickened or otherwise specialized epidermis; the whole skin which a snake sheds is epidermis. 3. In embryol., the outermost blastodermic membrane; the ectoderm or epiblast, which will in due course become an epidermis proper. -4. In conch., specifically, ly, the rind or peel covering the shell of a mollusk; the external animal integument of the shell, as distinguished found as a tough, fibrous, or stringy