Which epidermal layer contains cells with granules visible in healing tissue after trauma?

• A. Stratum Spinosum
• B. Stratum Lucidum
• C. Stratum Corneum
• D. Stratum Granulosum

Answer: (D)

Keratohyalin granules are a hallmark of the stratum granulosum. In this layer, keratinocytes accumulate these granules, which are essential for keratinization as they help condense keratin filaments and drive the formation of a strong, protective barrier. When healing after trauma, re-epithelialization involves cells moving through and maturing into this granulated layer, which is why you can see granule-filled cells there. The other epidermal layers don’t show these keratohyalin granules: the stratum spinosum has desmosomes and has no granules like these; the stratum lucidum is a thin, clear layer with no organelles visible; and the stratum corneum consists of dead, flattened cells without granules.