stratum basale
noun
stratum ba·sa·le
| \ -bā-ˈsā-lē
\
\
plural strata basalia\ -lē-ə
\
\
Medical Definition of stratum basale
1
: the basal layer of the epidermis consisting of a single row of columnar or cuboidal epithelial cells that continually divide and replace the rest of the epidermis as it wears away
— called also stratum germinativum
— see malpighian layer
2
: the deep layer of the endometrium that is between the stratum spongiosum and the myometrium and that is retained during menstruation