College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia exam with our high-quality resources. Practice with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Elevate your exam readiness!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What characteristic defines stratified squamous epithelial cells?

Single layer of cells
Multiple layers of cells
Highly elastic
Translucent appearance

The correct answer is: Multiple layers of cells

Stratified squamous epithelial cells are characterized by being composed of multiple layers of cells. This layered structure is critical for providing protection against mechanical stress, abrasion, and dehydration in areas of the body that experience significant wear and tear, such as the skin, mouth, and esophagus. The outermost layers are typically flattened (squamous) cells, which serve as a protective barrier. In contrast, a single layer of cells would indicate a simple squamous epithelium, not stratified. Characteristics like being highly elastic or having a translucent appearance do not define stratified squamous epithelium specifically; instead, they might pertain to other types of tissues or epithelial cells with different functional requirements. Therefore, the defining feature of stratified squamous epithelial cells is indeed the presence of multiple layers.