Which type of epithelium consists of multiple layers of cells?

Stratified epithelium is characterized by its structure, which consists of multiple layers of cells stacked on top of each other. This arrangement provides additional protection to the underlying tissues, making stratified epithelium particularly well-suited for areas of the body that experience significant wear and tear, such as the skin, esophagus, and vagina.

The multiple layers also allow for better resilience against physical and chemical stressors, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the tissues in these regions. The topmost layer may vary in shape and can be flat or cuboidal depending on the specific type of stratified epithelium involved, such as stratified squamous or stratified cuboidal epithelium.

In contrast, the other types of epithelium listed are simpler in structure. For example, simple cuboidal epithelium consists of a single layer of cube-shaped cells, pseudostratified columnar epithelium appears to have multiple layers due to varying cell heights but is really a single layer with differing shapes, and simple squamous epithelium consists of a single layer of flat cells. Each of these types performs different functions and is found in different locations, but they lack the multiple layered structure