The epidermis layer not present in thin skin is the stratum lucidum.
Understanding the Epidermis and its Layers
The epidermis is the outermost layer of your skin. It's comprised of multiple layers, each with a specific function. These layers, from deepest to most superficial, are typically the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum. However, the presence of the stratum lucidum varies depending on the thickness of the skin.
Thin Skin vs. Thick Skin
The key difference lies in skin thickness. Thick skin, found on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, contains all five epidermal layers, including the stratum lucidum. Thin skin, covering the rest of the body, lacks this layer. The stratum lucidum is a thin, translucent layer primarily composed of dead keratinocytes. Its absence in thin skin does not impact the overall functionality of the epidermis.
- Thin skin: Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum corneum.
- Thick skin: Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, stratum corneum.
Several sources confirm this:
- Quizlet: Multiple Quizlet flashcards and explanations explicitly state that the stratum lucidum is absent in thin skin. https://quizlet.com/374125756/ap-ch-5-51-53-flash-cards/ and https://quizlet.com/explanations/questions/what-layer-of-the-epidermis-is-absent-from-the-skin-a861da69-ba77b6d6-cc32-46b0-96d4-83038058cad9
- NCBI Bookshelf (StatPearls): The StatPearls articles on skin anatomy and physiology highlight the presence of the stratum lucidum as a distinguishing feature of thick skin. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470464/ and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554386/
