Final answer:
The statement that the stratum lucidum is found only in thick skin is true. This layer is exclusive to areas of thick skin such as the palms and soles and provides additional protection by acting as a barrier to water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the stratum lucidum is found only in thick skin is true. The stratum lucidum is a specific layer of the epidermis that is present only in areas of thick skin such as the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and digits. This layer is situated between the stratum granulosum and the stratum corneum.
The cells in the stratum lucidum are dead, flattened keratinocytes that are densely packed with eleidin, a clear protein derived from keratohyalin. This gives the stratum lucidum its transparent appearance and provides a barrier to water, offering additional protection to the skin in these high-friction areas.
The epidermis of thick skin is composed of five layers: the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum. The presence of the stratum lucidum contributes to the characteristic durability of thick skin.