Which statement best describes pseudostratified epithelium?

• A. All cells reach the basement membrane, but nuclei lie at different levels
• B. It is the same as stratified squamous
• C. It has no cilia or goblet cells
• D. Cells arranged in multiple layers with all reaching the surface

Answer: (A)

Pseudostratified epithelium is a single layer of cells that looks like multiple layers because the nuclei lie at different heights, not because there are truly several layers. The key feature is that every cell contacts the basement membrane, even though some cells don’t reach the apical surface. This arrangement gives the appearance of stratification while remaining one cell layer thick. In many places, such as the respiratory tract, this tissue is ciliated and may contain goblet cells that produce mucus, which helps trap and move debris.

That’s why the statement describing all cells as reaching the basement membrane but with nuclei at different levels is the best fit. It captures the single-layer nature and the irregular nuclear positions that create the pseudostratified look. The other options mischaracterize the tissue: it is not the same as stratified squamous (which has multiple true layers of flat cells), it commonly has cilia and goblet cells (so noting no cilia or goblet cells is inaccurate), and it does not consist of multiple layers with everyone reaching the surface (that would describe true stratified epithelium).