Stratum Corneum

The most superficial layer of the epidermis and the surface coating of the skin, primarily consisting of layers of corneocytes, which are dead, flat, enucleated, keratin-filled cells. The stratum corneum serves as a physiological barrier for the protection of underlying tissues, as well as a barrier to fluid and solute loss from within the body.

Source: NCI Thesaurus (C33625).