The area of the skin with the highest density of sweat glands is the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. These areas contain an impressive 600–700 sweat glands per square centimeter.
Sweat Gland Distribution and Density
While sweat glands are distributed across almost the entire body surface, their concentration varies significantly depending on location. The palms and soles stand out due to their exceptionally high density. Conversely, areas like the back have a much lower concentration of sweat glands.
- High Density Areas: Palms, soles.
- Lower Density Areas: Back.
This uneven distribution is related to thermoregulation and other functions of sweat glands. The palms and soles, frequently subjected to friction and pressure, benefit from a higher concentration of sweat glands to maintain grip and prevent overheating.
Several sources confirm this high density in the palms and soles:
- One study [195] explicitly states that the region with the greatest sweat gland density is the palms and soles of the feet, with 600–700 sweat glands/cm². This is consistent across multiple scientific resources. Other sources mention that eccrine sweat glands, responsible for the majority of sweat production, are abundant across the body but are most numerous on the soles of the feet and least numerous on the back.
The information presented above directly answers the question based on the provided references, which repeatedly highlight the palms and soles as the regions with the highest concentration of sweat glands.
