Finger skin. Light micrograph (LM) of the external layers of the skin of a finger. The outer layer (red-yellow) is formed by a keratinised squamous epithelium known as the epidermis. This is supported and nourished by the underlying layer, the dermis (pink), which is formed by dense, fibro-elastic connective tissue. The dermis is highly vascular and contains many sensory receptors. Cells are produced by mitotic division at the bottom part of the epidermis in the germinal layer. The new cells, as they move towards the epidermis, replace the cells it sheds. Magnification: x100 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.