Re: how many layers of skin...

Dear Josh,

The number of layers of skin is not easy to count because it depends on how 
you want to define the layers. Basically it goes like this:

Skin is composed of an outer layer called the _epidermis_ and a deeper 
layer called the _dermis_. So far so good. 

However there are two types of skin, thick and thin. Thick skin is present 
on the palm of the hand and the sole of the foot. The skin everywhere else 
is thin skin.

The epidermis of thick skin is composed of five layers (from to outside 
in): 1. stratum corneum, 2. stratum lucidum, 3. stratum granulosum, 4. 
stratum spinosum, and 5. stratum basale (Some scientists prefer to combine 
4 and 5 into a single entity, called the Malpighian layer, which would make 
epidermis to be 4 layers rather than 5).

The epidermis of thin skin is composed of three layers (from to outside 
in): 1. stratum corneum, 2. stratum spinosum, and 3. stratum basale (once 
again, some scientists prefer to combine 2 and 3 into a single entity, 
called the Malpighian layer, which would make epidermis to be 2 layers 
rather than 3).

The dermis itself is also composed of two layers, 1. the papillary layer, 
and 2. the reticular layer. 

So, here you are, probably knowing more about skin that you ever wanted to 
know and still having no answer to your original question of who won the 
bet? I bet you didn't expect this. Isn't Science great?