Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

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

Study for the Certified Surgical Technologist Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Enhance your understanding and boost your confidence for acing the exam!

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.

Which of the following is a characteristic of dentin?

Hard, protective layer
Soft tissue inside the tooth
Mineralized tissue with collagen
Outer enamel layer

The correct answer is: Mineralized tissue with collagen

Dentin is indeed characterized as a mineralized tissue that consists of collagen fibers. This unique composition contributes to the structure and strength of the tooth, making it crucial for the overall integrity of dental health. Dentin lies beneath the enamel and the cementum, providing a supportive role to these outer layers. The mineral content of dentin comprises hydroxyapatite crystals, which give it rigidity, while the collagen fibers provide a degree of flexibility. This combination allows dentin to absorb the forces exerted during chewing and grinding, protecting the more delicate pulp chamber located in the center of the tooth. In contrast, while the outer enamel layer is hard and protective, it is not a characteristic of dentin. Similarly, soft tissue inside the tooth refers typically to the dental pulp rather than dentin itself. Thus, the correct understanding of dentin's composition and characteristics is essential for recognizing its function and significance within the structure of the tooth.