The lamina densa of normal human epidermis was exposed by treatment with 1 M sodium chloride and was examined by high-power scanning electron microscopy before and after trypsinization. Localization of type IV collagen in the lamina densa was also studied by transmission and scanning immunoelectron microscopy. Before trypsinization, the surface of the lamina densa consisted of microridges and microvalleys. The microridges varied in height and were connected with each other. They were arranged in a concentric fashion around the tips of the dermal microprojections. At a higher magnification, the surface of the lamina densa was composed of densely packed cobblestone-like structures approximately 7-15 nm in size, between which were interspaces 4-11 nm wide. These structures expressed type IV collagen. After trypsinization, the lamina densa was found to be composed of microfilaments approximately 10 nm thick showing beaded appearances. These microfilaments exhibited the same cobblestone-like structures as the lamina densa surface. Observation of the torn lamina densa demonstrated anchoring fibrils and oxytalan fibers that were attached to the lamina densa itself. Another kind of filament about 7 nm thick linked the anchoring fibrils and the oxytalan fibers. Beneath the lamina densa was a network of fibers about 40-50 nm thick, which was composed of collagen fibers and possibly also elaunin fibers. In conclusion, this study revealed the detailed surface ultrastructure of the epidermal lamina densa and its underlying filamentous elements.