Histology of the Respiratory System Flashcards
Functions of upper respiratory tract
- Warm air
- Humidify air
- Clear particulates
Functions of lower respiratory tract
- Clear mucous
- Allow elastic recoil
- Allow gas exchange
- Remain patent (open)
Where does the conducting portion run from/to?
- From nasal cavity
- To terminal bronchioles
Where does the respiratory portion run from/to?
- From respiratory bronchioles
- To alveoli
Tissue layers of the conducting portion
- Respiratory mucosa (epithelium + lamina propria)
- Submucosa
- Cartilage and/or muscle
- Adventitia
What type of epithelium is respiratory epithelium?
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
What cells are found within the respiratory epithelium?
- Goblet cells
- Ciliated columnar cells
- Basal cells (stem cells)
What make up the mucociliary escalator?
- Goblet cells
- Ciliated columnar cells
- Serous + mucous glands
How does the mucociliary escalator work?
- Mucous traps particulates
- Cilia beat to move it to pharynx for swallowing
What effect does smoking have on the mucociliary escalator?
- Higher goblet cell to ciliated cell ratio
- Decreased movement of mucous
> Chronic cough or chronic infections
3 main cells in olfactory epithelium
- Bipolar olfactory neurones
- Supporting columnar (Sustentacular) cells
- Basal cells
What are present on the apical membrane of bipolar olfactory neurones, and what is their function?
- Olfactory hairs
- Convert chemical smell input into electrical signal
Which glands are present in the olfactory epithelium and what do they replace from normal respiratory epithelium?
- Olfactory serous (Bowan) glands
- Goblet cells
Which parts of the larynx are not lined with respiratory epithelium, and what is present instead?
- True cords + upper epiglottis
- Non-keratinised stratified squamous epithelium
What is the function of the stratified epithelium over the true cords and upper epiglottis
Extra layers provide protection against abrasion from air rushing in/out
