Question

The type of epithelium which covers the dry surface of the skin and the moist surface of the buccal cavity is?
A. Compound epithelium
B. Simple columnar epithelium
C. Simple cuboidal epithelium
D. Simple squamous epithelium

Answer 1

Hint: In human anatomy, the mouth also called the oral cavity is the orifice by which food and air reach the body. The mouth opens at the lips to the outside and empties into the throat. A thick epithelium covers the dry surface of the skin and the moist surface of the buccal cavity.

Complete answer: Compound epithelium is the lining of the stomach and gut. In the lining of the pharynx and the buccal cavity, the compound epithelium is present. All cells rest on the basement membrane in plain epithelia. In compound epithelia, the basement membrane lies only on the lowermost layer of cells. It also covers the dry surface of the skin. In compound epithelium, cells present at different layers show differences in their size and shape. It has little or no role in absorption, secretion and excretion.
a) Simple columnar epithelium: Typically, the ovoid nuclei are oriented towards the basal surface. For secretion, absorption, and defence, this form of epithelium is commonly adapted. It lines the minor ducts of several exocrine glands as a defensive epithelium, while it lines the stomach and uterine cervix as a secretory epithelium.
b) Simple cuboidal epithelium: Kidney tubules, glandular ducts, ovaries, and the thyroid gland are also found to have these cells. In a single line, simple cuboidal cells are located in the middle of the cells with their spherical nuclei and are directly attached to the basal surface. Also present in the respiratory bronchioles are simple ciliated cuboidal cells.
c) Simple squamous epithelium: Cells found in this type of epithelium are smooth and small, making simple squamous epithelium suitable for lining areas where gases are passively diffused. Body, capillary walls, glomeruli, pericardial lining, pleural lining, peritoneal cavity lining, and alveolar lining provide places where it can be detected.
Hence the correct answer is option A.

Note: Our body’s surface and internal organs are subject to wear, tear, and injury. The outer lining of the body and organs is protected by a complex community of cells called the Compound epithelium to shield the inner tissues. It is composed of numerous layers of cells that derive from the membrane of the basement.