Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

The layer of the epidermis specifically found in thick areas of the skin, such as the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, is the stratum lucidum. This translucent layer serves a protective function and contributes to the overall thickness of the skin in these areas, which are subject to more friction and abrasion. The stratum lucidum is located between the stratum corneum and the stratum granulosum and provides an additional barrier to external environmental factors, making it particularly important in regions prone to heavy use. In contrast, the other layers mentioned play different roles or are present throughout thinner areas of the skin. The stratum granulosum is involved in the keratinization process, contributing to the formation of keratin in the outer layers. The stratum spinosum is characterized by keratinocytes connected by desmosomes and plays a role in strength and flexibility. The stratum corneum, while found in all areas of the skin, consists of dead, flattened keratinized cells that form the outermost layer of the epidermis.