Keratinization

Keratinization is the maturation process in which epithelial cells accumulate keratin and form a tough protective layer. It occurs in skin and in specialized epithelial tissues.

Keratinocyte: A predominant epidermal cell that produces keratin and helps form the skin barrier. Keratinocytes undergo the maturation process that defines keratinization.
Epithelial tissue: Tissue formed by closely packed cells that cover surfaces, line cavities, and form glands. Keratinization is a maturation process of epithelial cells.
Hair: A filamentous structure produced by skin follicles and composed largely of dead, keratinized cells. Hair forms through specialized keratinization within the follicle.
Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium: A multilayered lining epithelium whose surface cells remain alive and moist rather than forming a keratin layer. It protects moist surfaces without the dry, keratinized outer layer.
Keratin: A family of tough structural proteins found in epithelial cells and their derivatives. Its accumulation gives keratinized tissue much of its strength.
Intermediate filament: A cytoskeletal protein fiber that provides cells with mechanical strength. Keratin proteins assemble into intermediate filaments inside epithelial cells.
Nail: A hard plate of keratinized cells covering the tips of fingers and toes. Nail plates are a specialized product of epithelial keratinization.
Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium: A multilayered epithelium with a surface layer of dead, keratin-rich cells. This tissue architecture is the clearest structural outcome of keratinization.
Cornification: The terminal differentiation of epidermal cells into flattened, dead corneocytes. In the epidermis, keratinization culminates in cornification.
Filaggrin: An epidermal protein that bundles keratin filaments and contributes to the skin barrier. It helps compact keratin-rich structures during epidermal maturation.

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