Respiratory: Histology of the respiratory tract

Question 1

What types of epithelia line the respiratory tract?

Answer 1

Nasal cavity to bronchioles - pseudostratified columnar epithelia with cilia and goblet cells
Terminal bronchioles - simple columnar
Respiratory bronchioles to alveolar ducts - simple cuboidal with some cilia
Alveoli - simple squamous

Question 2

What are the vocal chords formed of?

Answer 2

Each vocal chord is lined by stratified squamous epithelium and contains:

• a vocal ligament
• a vocalis muscle (skeletal)

Question 3

What are the functions of the vocal chords?

Answer 3

• produce vibrations to phonate
• close up and stop foreign objects from entering lungs
• close to build up pressure for coughing