Histology of the Nasal & Oral Cavities

Question 1

Which glands produce the most saliva

Answer 1

Submandibular produce 60-70%- both serous and mucus
Parotid about 30%- only serous secretion
Submandibular 3-5%- serous and mucus

Question 2

Type of joint in teeth

Answer 2

Gomphosis

Question 3

Levator veli palatini/tensor veli palatini function

Answer 3

Innervated by CN V3
Tensor-Tenses soft palate, and acts on eustachian tube to depressurize middle ear
Levator- elevates soft palate, and acts on eustachian tube to depressurize middle ear
Paralysis of either/both can lead to reflux into nasal cavity and ETD

Question 4

Characteristics of respiratory epithelium

Answer 4

Pseudostratified columnar ciliated
Goblet cells
Lamina propria has rich vascular network with complex capillary loops

Question 5

Paranasal sinuses are lined with what epithelium

Answer 5

Respiratory

Question 6

Nasal vestibule epithelium

Answer 6

Keratinized stratified squamous

Question 7

Hallmark of olfactory mucosa

Answer 7

Located in apex of nasal cavity
Dramatically thicker
Lacks goblet cells
Still pseudostratified ciliated columnar
Olfactory glands have serous secretions that dissolve odorant molecules

Question 8

CT of mucosa contains

Answer 8

Fibroblasts, WBCs, collagen

Question 9

Papillary layer (of lamina propria?)

Answer 9

Superficial, loose CT with neurovasculature

Question 10

Dense layer (of lamina propria?)

Answer 10

Deep, dense irregular CT with large amounts of vibers

Question 11

Submucosal layer (of lamina propria?)

Answer 11

May be present depending on location

Loose CT, adipose tissue & salivary glands

Question 12

Masticatory mucosa

Answer 12

Found on hard palate, gingiva and dorsal tongue
Keratinized/parakeratinized stratified squamous
Superficial cells do not lose nuclei and cytoplasm does not stain well
Nuclei are highly condensed and remain until cell is lost
Thin or absent submucosa

Question 13

Lining mucosa

Answer 13

Found on lips, cheeks, alveolar mucosal surface, floor of mouth, inferior tongue and soft palate
Non-keratinized stratified squamous, but may be parakeratinized in selected locations
Thicker than keratinized epithelium and has:
Stratum basale, spinosum and superficiale

Question 14

Lingual papillae

Answer 14

Keratinized epithelium w/lamina propria

Small, elevated structures, some of which are associated with taste buds

Question 15

Filiform papillae

Answer 15

Move food toward pharynx for swallowing
Give dorsal tongue velvety texture
No taste buds

Question 16

Foliate papillae

Answer 16

Vertical ridges on lateral surface of tongue in more posterior region
Provide taste sensation

Question 17

Fungiform papilla

Answer 17

Dorsal surface of tongue, found in lesser numbers

Provide taste sensation

Question 18

Circumvallate papillae

Answer 18

7-15 mushroom shaped structures anterior to sulcus terminalis
Sunken appearance, surrounded by trench
Hundreds of taste buds present

Question 19

Taste buds

Answer 19

Each taste bud can discern all five tastes but most focus on a specific two

Question 20

Neuroepithelial sensory cells

Answer 20

Elongated cells extend from the basal lamina of the epithelium to the taste pore
Extend a microvilli through the pore
Synapse with afferent sensory neurons of CN VII, IX or X

Question 21

Supporting cells

Answer 21

Elongated cells extending from basal lamina to taste pore

Contain microvilli on apical surface, do not synapse with nerve cells

Question 22

Basal cells

Answer 22

Provide stem cells for neuroepithelial cells and supporting cells

Question 23

Palatine tonsil tissue type

Answer 23

Nonkeratinized stratified squamous

Question 24

Pharyngeal tonsil

Answer 24

Pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium

Posterior wall of nasopharynx

Question 25

Lingual tonsil

Answer 25

Base of tongue
Stratified squamous epithelium
Germinal centers
NO capsule, unlike the others

Question 26

Pulp

Answer 26

Loose, mesenchymal CT
Collagen fibers, fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells
Highly vascular and well innervated
Provides nutrition to dentin, can form reactive dentin due to chronic injury