Final answer:
The statement is true. The papillary layer is located just beneath the epidermis and is more superficial than the reticular layer, which is the deeper layer of the dermis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the papillary layer is more superficial than the reticular layer of the dermis is true. The papillary layer of the dermis, which is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, projects into the stratum basale of the epidermis forming dermal papillae. It is the uppermost part of the dermis, directly beneath the epidermis, and is characterized by its loose network of collagen and elastin fibers. The papillary layer is indeed more superficial than the reticular layer of the dermis. The papillary layer is the upper layer of the dermis, consisting of loose, areolar connective tissue, while the reticular layer is the lower, much thicker layer, composed of dense, irregular connective tissue. The papillary layer projects into the stratum basale of the epidermis to form dermal papillae, while the reticular layer appears reticulated (net-like) due to a tight meshwork of collagen fibers.
In contrast, the reticular layer is the lower, much thicker layer of the dermis. It is composed of dense, irregular connective tissue that provides structural strength, elasticity, and hydration to the skin through a rich supply of blood vessels and nerve fibers. The reticular layer lies underneath the papillary layer and is linked to it through a mesh of collagen fibers.