Which layer of the epidermis contains cells that appear granulated and filled with keratin?

The correct answer is the Stratum granulosum. This layer of the epidermis is characterized by keratinocytes that have begun to lose their nuclei and are filled with keratohyalin granules. These granules assist in the process of keratinization, where cells begin to flatten and the production of keratin increases. The presence of granules in this layer signifies that the cells are transitioning from living cells to a more protective, keratinized state, which is essential for the skin's barrier function.

In contrast, the Stratum corneum, while it is the outermost layer composed of dead, flattened keratinized cells, does not contain granulated cells; these cells have already completed their transformation. The Stratum spinosum is known for its spiny appearance due to desmosomal connections between keratinocytes, but it does not have the granulated keratin profiles found in the Stratum granulosum. The Stratum germinativum, also known as the basal layer, contains actively dividing cells but lacks granulation and keratinization characteristics seen in the Stratum granulosum. Thus, the Stratum granulosum is distinct for its granulated, keratin-filled cells, making it the