Ventral [lower] surface of hard palate is covered by:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The ventral surface of the hard palate is covered by stratified squamous epithelium that is keratinized (often parakeratinized) to withstand mechanical stress from food. Pseudostratified columnar epithelium is found in respiratory regions, not here.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Taste buds are absent in the esophagus; they are present on the tongue, soft palate, and epiglottis for taste perception.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Cardiac gland pits are shallow, not deep, occupying less than half the mucosal thickness, unlike fundic glands.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Caveolated (tuft) cells are sensory, not regenerative; stem cells handle mucosal regeneration.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The space of Disse contains plasma, Ito cells, and hepatocyte microvilli, but blood cells remain in the sinusoids.