In skin anatomy, what layer follows the stratum corneum?

The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis and consists of dead, keratinized skin cells that provide a barrier against environmental damage. Following the stratum corneum, the next layer is the stratum lucidum, which is found primarily in areas of thick skin, such as the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. This layer is characterized by a thin, translucent band of cells that are also dead and contain a protein called eleidin, which is a precursor to keratin. The stratum lucidum functions to provide an additional level of protection and to reduce friction in areas subject to heavy abrasion.

The other layers of the epidermis, such as the stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale, lie underneath the stratum corneum and do not directly follow it. Each of these layers has distinct characteristics and functions in the skin's protective barrier and in the process of keratinization, but they come in the sequence before the stratum corneum.