Stratified squamous epithelium
This type of epithelium is well suited to areas in the body subject to constant abrasion, as the thickest layers can be sequentially sloughed off and replaced before the basement membrane is exposed.It forms the outermost layer of the skin and the inner lining of the mouth, esophagus and vagina.Examples of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium include some parts of the lining of oral cavity, pharynx, conjunctiva of eye, upper one-third esophagus, rectum, vulva, and vagina.Even non-keratinized surfaces, consisting as they do of keratinocytes, have a minor superficial keratinized layer of varying thickness, depending on the age of the epithelium and the damage it has experienced.Examples of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium include skin, the epidermis of the palm of the hand, and the sole of the foot,[3] and the masticatory mucosa.