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Glite Dictionary
stratum granulosum

stratum granulosum

8.6
A thin layer of skin under the outer layer made of dying cells with visible granules
  • noun
  • /ˈstrætəm ˌɡrænuˈloʊsəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : estrato granuloso
  • The stratum granulosum helps to regulate the water barrier in the outer layer of the skin.

Examples

  • In a histological study, the stratum granulosum can be identified by its distinctive granules within the cells.

  • Under the microscope, the stratum granulosum reveals cells that are transitioning to a more keratinized state.

  • There is a vividly staining stratum granulosum rich in keratohyaline granules.

    Academic text (2001)

Surface Forms

stratum granulosum singular
strata granulosum plural

Morphology

stratum + granulosum

If a learner knows 'stratum' (layer) and understands 'granulosum' as 'granular' or 'containing granules', the compound meaning — the granular layer of the epidermis — is directly and compositionally derivable from the parts. Although the term is technical and uses a Latin form, the semantics follow a transparent 'layer + descriptive adjective' pattern common cross-linguistically, so its meaning is predictable for learners who know the constituents.

Etymology

The noun stratum granulosum comes from Latin words stratum meaning 'layer' and granulosum meaning 'full of small grains'. Picture a thin 'layer' of skin where the cells look grainy as they die and move to the surface, so the name helps you remember it is the thin granular layer just under the outer skin.