Skin layers. Coloured light micrograph of a section through penis skin. The top layer (purple) is the epidermis, which is composed of the upper stratum corneum layer (dead skin layer, faint purple and white) and the living stratum germinativum layer of skin below (purple). These two upper layers form thin layers over the thicker dermis, a layer of fibrous connective tissue that supports and nourishes the epidermis (yellow). Magnification: x500 when printed 10cm wide.