Skin is classified as thick or thin on the basis of the structure of the epidermis. Answer the following questions about thick and thin skin. 1. Hair is found only in . (Click to select) 2. In , the stratum corneum has many layers of cells. (Click to select) 3. In , each stratum contains fewer layers of cells. (Click to select) 4. is found on the palms of the hands, fingertips, and soles of the feet. (Click to select) 5. covers the majority of the body. (Click to select) 6. is found in areas subject to pressure or friction. (Click to select) 7. In , the stratum lucidum generally is absent. (Click to select) 8. contains all five epithelial strata. (Click to select)

1. Hair is found only in thin skin.

2. In thick skin, the stratum corneum has many layers of cells.

3. In thin skin, each stratum contains fewer layers of cells.

4. Thick skin is found on the palms of the hands, fingertips, and soles of the feet.

5. Thin skin covers the majority of the body.

6. Thick skin is found in areas subject to pressure or friction.

7. In thin skin, the stratum lucidum generally is absent.

8. Thick skin contains all five epithelial strata.

Explanation:

Skin is the largest organ in the body and is composed of two big layers: the epidermis (the outermost layer) and the dermis (the innermost layer). Some books consider a third layer called the hypodermis.

The epidermis can be divided into four (thin skin) or five (thick skin) layers as well, all very differentiated one from the other because of the presence of specific cells.

Thin skin can be found in the majority of the body, it contains hair follicles and sebaceous glands, which give the areas with this type of skin the possibility to have hair and produce sebum. Thin skin has 4 layers: the stratum basale, which contain progenitors to produce new cells; the stratum spinosum, composed of keratinocytes and Langerhans cells; the stratum granulosum that contains granules rich in lipids; and the stratum corneum, which will have dead keratinocytes and layers of keratin, both important for preventing infections.

Thick skin is found in only a few places: the soles of our feet, the palms of our hands, and our fingertips. Thick skin does not have hair follicles nor sebaceous glands; but it does have an extra layer of epidermis: the stratum lucidum, which contains a protein called eleidin. Thick skin is distributed strategically in places where the skin has to endure pressure and friction.