Which sublayer of the epidermis is considered superficial?

The stratum corneum is considered the most superficial sublayer of the epidermis. It consists of dead, flattened keratinocytes that are filled with keratin, a protein that helps to protect the skin from environmental damage and prevent water loss. This outermost layer acts as a barrier, playing a crucial role in maintaining skin hydration and providing a first line of defense against pathogens and physical abrasions.

As the outermost layer, the stratum corneum regularly sheds and renews itself through a process called desquamation, further emphasizing its role in protecting the lower layers of the skin. The layers below, such as the stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, and stratum basale, are more involved in the processes of cell production, differentiation, and eventual migration to the surface, making them less superficial in comparison. Thus, the stratum corneum is correctly identified as the superficial layer of the epidermis.