In both groups, the normal (baseline) epithelium at day 0 was
stratified squamous keratinized, with four basic layers. It
consisted of a darkly stained layer of tall columnar cells known
as stratum basale (basal layer), over which there were 7–8
strata of polyhedral cells forming the stratum spinosum
(prickle layer). On top of these were 3–5 layers of
flat cells
forming stratum granulosum (granular layer). These layers
were covered by a
fine layer of anucleated corneocytes forming
the stratum corneum (cornified layer). Rete ridges extending
down toward the connective tissue had a usual conical shape.
The epithelial thickness was measured to be 295
5.00 mm.
The lamina propria displayed
fine network of collagen bundles
with
fibroblasts and blood vessels