During the healing of an epidermal wound, which cells are responsible for migrating up the edges of the wound?

During the healing of an epidermal wound, the cells responsible for migrating up the edges of the wound are those from the stratum basale. This layer is the deepest part of the epidermis and contains keratinocyte stem cells that are vital for skin regeneration. When an epidermal wound occurs, these cells proliferate and migrate to cover the exposed area, helping to restore the integrity of the skin.

The stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis, consists of dead keratinized cells and does not contribute to the active repair process directly by migrating into the wound. Muscle cells from the dermis and adipose cells from the subcutaneous layer also do not participate in the migration needed to close an epidermal wound. Their roles differ; muscle cells primarily provide structure and movement, while adipose cells are involved in insulation and energy storage rather than in the healing process.