FINE STRUCTURE OF CELLS FORMING SURFACE LAYER OF EPIDERMIS IN HUMAN FETUSES AT 14 AND 12 WEEKS

[摘要] The surface layer of epidermal cells of the present fetuses exhibit numerous microvilli and cytoplasmic vesicles, thereby resembling vitamin A-induced mucous metaplastic cells of cultured embryonic chick epidermis. This suggests that these cells in the human fetus may be more functionally active than is commonly supposed, and the possibility that they may have some secretory or absorptive function is considered.