Basic Histology of the Respiratory System

Respiratory Epithelium

The Respiratory Epithelium is a ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium that contains a vast amount of GOBLET CELLS. Those goblet cells are responsible for the secretion of mucin which is associated in mucus production. The cells are more numerous in the nose, presumably because the nasal epithelium interacts extensively with environmental irritants and infectious agents. In the lower airways, goblet cells are increased markedly in inflammatory diseases. In the large conducting airways, mucus hypersecretion causes cough and sputum production. Two components of mucus play major roles in the elimination of deposited foreign materials: mucins and water. The Respiratory Epithelium contains 5 cell types this are: 5 Cell Types: Ciliated Cells ,Goblet Cells, Brush Cells, Small Granule Cell and the Basal Cell. Ciliated columnar cells constitute the most abundant type.