Which type of epithelium is removed with a buccal swab?

The stratified squamous epithelial cells or the outer layer of epidermis is removed with a buccal swab. This layer of skin does not contain any blood vessels, the dermal layer supplies oxygen and other nutrients through diffusion. The squamous epithelium cells are the simplest form of the epithelial cells having a single layer of flattened disc shaped cells.

A buccal swab procedure should not cause bleeding as it is a non-invasive procedure the place in the mouth where cheeks are present so that the cells come off to the swab.

The correct answer will be - stratified squamous epithelial cells.

Explanation:

Buccal is the anatomical term which represents the mouth and the cheek of humans.

The buccal swab is the instrument which collects the smear of the cells from inside of the cheek for DNA testing.

The inside layer of the cheek is made up of the "stratified squamous epithelial cells" which are collected by the buccal swab. The collection of these cells is non-invasive way as it does not cause blooding at the site of the collection of the sample.

Thus, the stratified squamous epithelial cell is the correct answer.