Laser Technician IBEC Board Exam 2025 - Free International Board of Electrologist Certification Practice Questions.

The stratum granulosum is characterized by the presence of small granules within its cells, which are known as keratohyalin granules. These granules play a crucial role in the process of keratinization, where cells begin to lose their nuclei and cytoplasmic organelles, leading to the formation of a tough, protective layer of keratin in the skin. As the cells migrate from the deeper layers of the epidermis towards the surface, they move through the stratum granulosum, where the granules facilitate the aggregation of keratin filaments, essential for maintaining skin integrity and barrier function.

This feature distinguishes the stratum granulosum from other layers of the skin, which may have differing cell structures and functions. The large, flattened cells typically describe the stratum corneum, while the outermost layer of the epidermis is indeed the stratum corneum, not the stratum granulosum. Likewise, skin pigmentation is primarily a function of the deeper layer known as the stratum basale, where melanocytes are located. Thus, the presence of small granules unique to the stratum granulosum marks its identity and functionality within the epidermis.