Question

Which of the following cells is/are primarily located in the epidermis of healthy human skin?

• A. Keratinocytes
• B. Melanocytes
• C. Oxyntic cells
• D. Goblet cells

Hint:

Only two of the four options are true skin cells; the other two belong to the stomach and gut lining.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B

This question asks which cell types actually sit inside the epidermis, the outer layer of skin.

1. Keratinocytes: form the bulk of the epidermis, building up in layers and filling with keratin as they move to the surface before flaking off. They belong in the epidermis.
2. Melanocytes: live at the base of the epidermis and make melanin, which they pass to nearby keratinocytes to color and protect the skin. They belong in the epidermis too.
3. Oxyntic cells: acid-making cells found in the lining of the stomach, far away from skin, so this option does not fit.
4. Goblet cells: make mucus and sit in the gut and airway lining, not in skin, so this option does not fit either.

Only keratinocytes and melanocytes are true residents of the epidermis, so the answer is options (A) and (B).

Let's summarize:

• Keratinocytes and melanocytes are the two skin-specific cell types listed.
• Oxyntic cells belong to the stomach and goblet cells belong to the gut/airway lining.

So the correct answers are (A) Keratinocytes and (B) Melanocytes.