Question

What constitutes the Malpighian layer of the skin?

• A. Stratum corneum and stratum lucidum
• B. Stratum corneum and stratum spinosum
• C. Stratum spinosum and stratum basale
• D. Stratum basale and stratum granulosum

Hint:

The two deepest living epidermal layers form it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: The Malpighian layer of the skin is generally defined as the stratum basale and the stratum spinosum together, taken as a single unit. So option 3 is correct.

Step 2: These are the deeper, metabolically active layers of the epidermis where cell division and early keratinocyte maturation occur.

Step 3: The layer is named after Marcello Malpighi. It is sometimes defined more narrowly as the stratum basale alone or the stratum spinosum alone, but the standard combined definition is basale plus spinosum.

Step 4: The stratum corneum, lucidum, and granulosum are the more superficial layers and are not part of the Malpighian layer, so options 1, 2, and 4 are wrong.