American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

Where is the stratum lucidum layer typically found?

1. Back of the neck

2. Palms of the hands and soles of the feet

3. Forehead and cheeks

4. Arms and thighs

The correct answer is: Palms of the hands and soles of the feet

The stratum lucidum is a thin, transparent layer of the skin found primarily in areas that experience a lot of friction and pressure. This layer is typically located between the stratum corneum and the stratum granulosum, providing an additional barrier of protection. The most common places where this layer is found are in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, which are areas that endure significant wear and tear. The presence of the stratum lucidum enhances the skin's resilience in these high-friction zones, making it thicker and providing an extra layer of protection. This characteristic distinguishes the skin on these extremities from that on other parts of the body, such as the forehead, cheeks, arms, and thighs, where the stratum lucidum layer is generally absent or much thinner due to the lesser amount of friction experienced in those regions.