Which statement about the epidermis is true?

• A. It is highly vascular
• B. It is primarily responsible for Vitamin D storage
• C. It is avascular and composed of stratified squamous epithelium
• D. It contains many sweat glands

Answer: (C)

The epidermis is the outer protective skin layer and is avascular, made up of stratified squamous epithelium. It has no its own blood vessels; nutrients and oxygen reach its cells by diffusion from the underlying, vascularized dermis. This arrangement supports a strong barrier function while relying on the dermis for blood supply. Sweat glands and other glands are located mainly in the dermis, not the epidermis, so the idea that the epidermis contains many sweat glands isn’t accurate. Vitamin D synthesis can occur in the epidermis with UV exposure, but storage of vitamin D isn’t a primary role of this layer. Therefore, describing the epidermis as avascular and composed of stratified squamous epithelium best captures its true nature.