Which layer of the epidermis is responsible for producing new cells and contains many mitotic figures?

The stratum basale, also known as the basal layer, is the innermost layer of the epidermis and plays a critical role in the renewal of skin cells. This layer is characterized by the presence of actively dividing keratinocytes, which are the primary cell type found in the epidermis. These keratinocytes undergo mitosis, producing new cells that gradually migrate upwards through the other layers of the epidermis.

As cells divide in the stratum basale, they move up to the stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, and eventually reach the outermost layer, the stratum corneum, where they are shed from the skin's surface. The presence of many mitotic figures in this layer confirms its function as the primary site of cell proliferation within the epidermis, making it essential for the continuous regeneration and repair of the skin.