Histology of the respiratory system Flashcards
What cell types make up the respiratory epithelium?
Pseudostratified
Ciliated epithelial cells
Interspersed goblet cells
What is this image showing?
Respiratory epithelium
What cells are particularly numerous in the smaller bronchi?
neuro-endocrine cells
What is the relevance of neuro-endocrine cells?
monitor inspired air for allergens and other potentially harmful substances.
What is the function of the mucous layer on respiratory epithelium?
It prevents dehydration of the epithelium and traps particulate matter that is removed from the system by beating of the cilia.
Describe what this image is showing:
Respiratory epithelium from the trachea stained with Toluidine Blue.
Showing cilia on the simple columnar epithelium and also the non-ciliated goblet cells.
Functions of the nose:
Filtration
Humidification
Warming
Olfaction
What is the nose lined by?
Simple ciliated respiratory epithelium
What are the source of nose bleeds?
A rich plexus of thin-walled arterioles and venules lie deep to the epithelium
Describe what this image is showing:
Central plate of a bone with respiratory epithelium on either side.
Showing:
cilia on the columnar cells and blue staining goblet cells.
Thin walled blood vessels can be seen within the connective tissue between the epithelium and the bone.
What cell types does the olfactory mucosa consist of?
basal and sustentacular cells
Embedded within these are bipolar neurones whose dendritic processes reach the surface of the epithelium.
What is the functions of the serous gland deep to the olfactory epithelium?
The watery secretion that they produce acts as a solvent for odorous substances. They also irrigate the surface and help to refresh the epithelium.
Describe what this image is showing:
Olfactory epithelium stained with H&E and Alcian Blue. The epithelium is a pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Immotile stereocilia protrude from the surface. Most of the cells are supporting cells but between them are sensory cells capable of detecting odours. The basal cells contain pigment granules. Under the epithelium are blue staining serous glands whose secretions flush the surface removing stale smells. Large oval unmyelinated nerve bundles are also evident
What are the vocal cords lined by?
stratified squamous epithelium
This type of epithelium is more robust, is accustomed to wear and can withstand the vibrations of the folds.
What muscles are the vocal cords manipulated by?
The vocalis muscle
and extrinsic muscles of the larynx including circo-thyroid.
Describe what this image is showing:
the whole larynx which is lying on its side with its upper end to the right of the picture. The vocal folds appear as two flaps above and below the legend and the top of the trachea is shown middle left. The dark blue staining patches are sections through the laryngeal cartilages.
