Final answer:
The source of blood for the epidermis is the dermal arteries called the papillary plexus, which is a network of small blood vessels located in the papillary layer of the dermis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The epidermis, which is the outermost layer of the skin, is known for having no blood supply of its own. Instead, the dermis below the epidermis provides the necessary nutrients and waste removal for the epidermal cells, especially those in its lowest layer, the stratum basale. Blood vessels within the dermis bring oxygen and nutrients to these cells. The correct answer to the question "The epidermis receives blood from which of the following?" is therefore C. dermal arteries called the papillary plexus. The papillary plexus refers to the network of small blood vessels located in the upper part of the dermis, just beneath the epidermis. These vessels are responsible for nourishing the epidermal layers above them.