What layer of the epidermis is NOT found in thin skin?

The stratum lucidum is a layer of the epidermis that is typically only present in thick skin, such as that found on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Its primary function is to provide an additional barrier and thickness to areas that experience significant friction and abrasion. In contrast, thin skin, which covers most of the body, has a more streamlined structure with fewer layers.

The stratum lucidum consists of flat, dead keratinocytes that contribute to the barrier properties of the skin, but in thin skin, this layer is absent. Instead, thin skin has a more compact arrangement of the remaining epidermal layers: the stratum corneum, stratum granulosum, and stratum basale are all present and perform their essential roles in protection, hydration, and regeneration. Understanding the structure and function of these different layers helps clarify how skin varies in thickness and protective capacities across different body regions.