ABSTRACT
Packing, and Hydrogen Bonding.........................................................196 10.8 Individual Phytosphingosine Ceramides: Conformational Order,
Chain Packing, and Hydrogen Bonding ..............................................200 10.9 Ternary Sphingosine Ceramide Systems: Conformational Order,
Chain Packing, and Hydrogen Bonding ..............................................202 10.10 Ternary Phytosphingosine Ceramide Systems: Conformational
Order, Chain Packing, and Hydrogen Bonding...................................204 10.11 Implications for Lipid Organization in Stratum Corneum..................205 References .........................................................................................................207
The stratum corneum (SC) provides the skin’s permeability barrier to water, and thus plays a critical role in human physiology; indeed, the development of this barrier function was essential for the evolution of mammalian life in Earth’s extremely desiccating terrestrial environment. An effective water barrier is a necessity for viability in the human newborn. In addition to maintaining water homeostasis, the SC provides a barrier to chemical and biological agents entering the body. Furthermore, SC barrier function must remain effective over a wide range of temperature and humidity. Skin must also tolerate a wide range of mechanical stresses, and consequently, the SC must be flexible and have considerable torsional and cohesive strength.
