Bird, scales (LM, Medium)

Structure List Epidermis of scale Dermis of scale Hard keratin Keratin between scales Stratum germinativum Low Magnification View

This slide displays scales of the shank skin of a bird. Notice the overlapping plates of heavily keratinized EPIDERMIS and the dense DERMIS. Also, observe the difference in the keratin between scales and that on the scale surfaces. The latter is referred to as "hard keratin". Be sure to find the stratum germinativum of the epidermis.