HISTOLOGY: The RESPIRATORY SYSTEM – Dr.

Tolentino
Dr. Tolentino
Anatomical Divisions of the Respiratory o next most abundant cells in the
System respiratory epithelium.
A. Upper Respiratory Tract
c. Brush cells
1. Sphenoidal Sinus o sparsely scattered
2. Frontal Sinus o columnar cell type with small
3. Nasal Cavity
apical surface bearing a tuft of
4. Pharynx
many short, blunt microvilli
o chemosensory receptors
B. Lower Respiratory Tract
(express signal transduction
1. Larynx component due to afferent
2. Trachea nerve endings) located at the
3. Bronchi (Gk. Windpipe)
basal surface
4. Lungs o with MICROVILLI not CILIA
o with dense apical granules
Functional Divisions of the Respiratory Tract

A. Conducting Portion- conditions d. Small granule cells (K Cell)

inspired air by cleaning, moistening, and o resembles a basal cell except
warming before it reaches the lungs that it possesses numerous
granules with dense cores.
Consists of: o 100-300mm in diameter
o represent 3% of total cells
1. Nasal Cavities o part of diffuse neuroendocrine
2. Nasopharynx system
3. Larynx
4. Trachea e. Basal cells
5. Bronchi o small rounded cells on
6. Brochioles basement membrane
7. Terminal Bronchioles o does not extend to luminal
surface
B. Respiratory Portion - areas of gas o stem cell that give rise to other
exchange cells type (believed to be
1. Respiratory Bronchioles generative stem cells) that
2. Alveolar Ducts undergo mitosis and
3. Alveoli subsequently differentiate into
the other cell types.
Turbinates:

 Superior Olfactory Epithelium

 Middle
 Inferior
- Made up of stratified squamous cells
- Covered by respiratory epithelium
- 
Olfactory epithelium VS Respiratory Epithelium
Respiratory Epithelium
 Ciliated Pseudostratified Columnar
Epithelium
 Mostly lines the Conducting Portion and
Nasal Cavity
 Has thick basement membrane
Cell types in the Respiratory Epithelium:
a. Ciliated Columnar cells
o most abundant
o with about 300 cilia on apical
surface
o constitute the most abundant
type.
o beneath the cilia, in addition to
basal bodies, are numerous
small mitochondria that supply
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
for ciliary beating.
 yellowish brown color
 indistinct basal lamina
 thick lamina propria
 with MALT
where olfactory chemoreceptors are
located.
 specialized area of the mucous
membrane in the superior conchae,
located in the roof of the nasal cavity.
 pseudostratified columnar epithelium
composed of three types of cells:
1) Supporting Cell
 have broad, cylindrical apexes
and narrower bases.
 With microvilli on free surface
submerged in a fluid layer.
 Mucus secreting
 Ovoid nuclei
 Well-developed junctional
complexes bind the supporting
cells to the adjacent olfactory
cells.
 contains a light yellow pigment
that is responsible for the color of
the olfactory mucosa.

b. Goblet cells Lipofuscin pigments – responsible for its

o with granules of mucin yellowish color
glycoproteins on apical surface

Aubrey  Allan Je 1

 2) Basal Cell surface
 small & spherical or cone shaped area of
and form a single layer at the base of moist
the epithelium. respiratory
epithelium
b.) slowing and
3) Olfactory Cell
increasing
 Spindle shape
turbulence
 Lines between supporting cell
(Between the basal cells and the 2. Superior Olfactory
supporting cells.) Epithelium
 Apexes (dendrites) possess Swell bodies - large venous
plexus found in
elevated and dilated areas from which
lamina propia of
arise six to eight cilia. conchae
 Dendrites pass through and - alternately
terminates into small bulblike structures become engorged
 cilia are very long and nonmotile with blood every 20-
and respond to odoriferous substances 30 mins, decreasing
by generating a receptor potential. air flow in one of the
 Axons are located at the basal end nasal fossa,
 bipolar neurons distinguished from allowing it to
the supporting cells by the position of recover from
their nuclei, which lie below the nuclei of dehydration
the supporting cells.
 afferent axons of these bipolar 2. Sinuses and Nasopharynx
neurons unite in small bundles directed
toward the brain, where they synapse Characteristics Cell type
with neurons of the brain olfactory lobe. Paranasal - Bilateral cavities  Thinner
 FILA OLFACTORIA – bundles of Sinuses Respiratory
olfactory nerve a. Frontal  Communicates epithelium
b. Maxillary with nasal  Fewer
Glands of Bowman c. Ethmoid cavities through Goblet cells
 secretes fluid in epithelial cells d. Sphenoid small openings  Lamina
 located at lamina propria of the olfactory  Mucus produced Propia:
epithelium. is moved into continuous
 secretion produces a fluid environment nasal passages with
around the olfactory cilia that may clear by activity of underlying
the cilia, facilitating the access of new ciliated epithelial periosteum,
odoriferous substances. cells with few
 Resonating small glands
Parts of Conducting System chambers

1. Nasal Cavities (Left and Right) Nasopharynx Caudal to Respiratory

oropharynx Epithelium
2 components:
o External vestibule- most anterior 3. Larynx and Trachea
and dilated part
o Internal nasal cavities (fossae) Characteristics Cell type
Characteristics Cell type Larynx  Rigid, short Non
(4x4cm) keratinized
Nares Entry of air before Skin:
passageway for stratified
(Nostrils) the vestibule Keratinized
air between squamous
stratified
pharynx and epithelium
squamous
trachea
epithelium
 Reinforced by EXCEPT:
Vestibule - contains vibrissae Transition
hyaline cartilage;
(hairs) for filtering from  Upper part
thyroid: cricoid
particulate matter Keratinized of the
inferior: arytenoid
to surface of
Respiratory epiglottis
smaller elastic
Epithelium  Apico
cartilages in
Nasal Cavities epiglotic
epiglottis:
Nasal Division between cuneiform, folds
Septum nasal cavities corniculate,  Vocal
Contains bony shelf superior arytenoid cords
like projections on
lateral walls called UNPAIRED: lined with
conchae - thyroid mucus
Conchae - epiglottis membrane
1. Middle Improves Respiratory - cricoid
and conditioning of Epithelium
Inferior inspired air thru:
a.) increasing

Aubrey  Allan Je 2

 PAIRED: fibers:
- cuneiform Vocal
- corniculate Ligament
- arythenoid  Also with
bundles of
HYALINE: striated
- arythenoid vocalis
- thyroid muscle
- cricoid
Trachea  12-14cm  Respirator
ELASTIC:  Main y
- cuneiform Characteristic: epithelium
- corniculate C-Shaped  Lamina
- epiglottis Hyaline Cartilage Propia:
 Submucosa: 16- seromuco
Mechanism/Function: 20 C-shaped us glands
rings of Hyaline
EXTRINSIC: Cartilage –
 Larynx to causes the
surrounding trachea to open
tissue PERMANENTLY
 contracts by  Open ends of
moving cartilage, against
upward the esophagus
bridged by
INTRINSIC smooth muscle:
 regulates trachealis muscle.
tension of  Trachealis
vocal cords (Muscle): relaxes
 opening and during
closing of swallowing;
glottis contracts during
coughing
- has MALT (in
lamina propria) Layers:
Epiglottis  Projects fr upper  Lingual 1. Mucosa
rim of larynx, and Apical - Lamina
extends to the surface: propria: MALT
pharynx Stratified and Elastic
 2 surfaces: Squamous Fibers
lingual and apical epithelium - Thick Basal
 Transition Lamina
s to - Has many
Ciliated goblet cells
Pseudostr
atified 2. Submucosa
columnar - Loose
at variable connective
points tissue
 Contains - Has
mixed submucosal
mucus glands
and (tubuloalveolar
serous gland)
glands in
lamina 3. Cartilage
propia 4. Muscle
Vestibular  Two bilateral  Partly with 5. Adventitia
folds folds in lumen Respirator - Blends with
after epiglottis y surroundin
 Aka False vocal Epithelium g structure
cords  With
numerous *Fibroelastic
seromuco Ligament +
us glands Trachealis Muscle
Vocal  aka Vocal Cords  Stratified – causes
folds Squamous constriction of the
epithelium trachea
 Contains
bundles of
parallel
elastic

Aubrey  Allan Je 3

 4. Pharynx visceral upon parietal pleura during
breathing.
Characteristic Cell Type - Both membranes are composed of
Pharynx Has 4 Histological  Nasopharynx
mesothelial cells resting on a fine connective
Layers: – respiratory
epithelium tissue layer that contains collagen and
1. Mucosa elastic fibers.
 Epithelium  Oropharynx – - elastic fibers of the visceral pleura are
 Lamina non continuous with those of the pulmonary
Propria – keratinized parenchyma.
has elastic stratified
fibers and squamous
glands  Mesothelium
2. Submucosa  Laryngophary o - Lines the free surface of
 loose nx parietal and visceral pleura
connective;  non
denser keratinized Bronchi
 only in 2 stratified
areas: lateral squamous  Extrapulmonary
portion of  Intrapulmonary – drawn into folds
nasopharynx
and terminal * cartilage in smaller bronchi: irregular plates of
protion of hyaline cartilage (surrounds the lumina) and
laryngopharyn completely round (circular bag of smooth
x muscle)
3. Muscularis
Externa Bronchioles
 Has muscle
fibers (inner Characteristics:
longitudinal,  NO Cartilage
outer  NO Submucosal Gland
circulate/oblique)  NO Lymphoid Nodule
 loose  FEW Goblet Cells
connective;
denser Epithelium:
4. Adventitia  Cuboidal Lung Ciliated Cells – CLARA
 loose CELLS
connective  Round
 Has microvilli
 Has secretory cytoplasmic granules –
BRONCHIAL TREE AND LUNG (LUNG protects the bronchial lining
LOBES)  Has MALT (at lamina propria)

Terminal Bronchioles
Lung Lobule
 Non ciliated cells
- is the basic functional unit of the lung.
Epithelium:
- roughly shaped like a pyramid.
 Simple cuboidal
- supplied by the terminal bronchioles.  No goblet cells
- Their bases, are distinguishable as  Have many clara cells
polygonal areas beneath the pleura.  Plenty of secretory granules
- Adjacent lobules are partially subdivided by
fibrous septa, which contain lymphatics and Respiratory Bronchioles
the pulmonary venules.
 From terminal bronchiole
- Thus within a pulmonary lobule, the  Short
pulmonary arteries and veins no longer run
side by side but instead dissociate. Epithelium:
 Supported by smooth muscle cells
 CUBOIDAL (proximal) to SIMPLE
Lung Pleura SQUAMOUS (distal)

- the serous membrane covering the lung. Alveolar Ducts

- consists of two layers:
 has KNOBS
- parietal pleura - forms the internal
 Thin walled
lining of the chest cavities  Simple Squamous Epithelium
- visceral pleura - externally coats the  Distally located tubes along the
lungs respiratory bronchioles (located after the
- normally in contact, but separated by a respiratory bronchioles)
potential space containing a small amount of  Lined with attenuated squamous
serous fluid that lubricates the movement of alveolar cells

Aubrey  Allan Je 4

 A rich matrix of elastic and collagen
fibers provides SUPPORT to the Alveolar Cells
alveolar duct and its alveoli
 Opens into atria of two or more Alveolar Type I
Sacs, which in turn opens into several
Alveoli  Thin cells
 The elastic fibers enable the alveoli to  Also known as pulmonary alveolar cells
EXPAND during inspiration and (squamous alveolar cells)
CONTRACT PASSIVELY during  Pneumocyte Type I
expiration  Covers 95% of Alveolar Surface
 Reticular fibers serve as support that  Has tight junctions– prevents leakage
prevents overdistention and damage to of fluid into alveolar spaces
capillaries.  Cytoplasm contains pinocytotic
vesicles–plays a role in the turnover of
Alveolar Sac and Alveoli surfactant and removal of particulate
contaminants
o Thin Walled  Main Role: Provide a BARRIER of
o Open on one side MINIMAL THICKNESS that is
o Simple Squamous Epithelium READILY PERMEABLE to GASES

 Saclike evaginations of the respiratory Type II

bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveolar
sac  bigger and round
 It is responsible for the spongy structure  have occluding and desmosomal
of the lungs junctions
 Resemble small pockets open on one  Also known as great alveolar cell
side  Pneumocyte Type II
 CO2 and O2 exchange occurs between  Prevents Lung collapse by secreting
the air and the blood surfactant
 Rest on basement membrane as part of
Inter Alveolar Septum epithelium
 Wall that lies between two  Exhibits numerous microvilli –
neighboring alveoli associated with surfactant secretion
 Contains the cells and extracellular  Divide by MITOSIS
matrix of connective tissue (elastic Exhibit VESICULAR of FOAMY
and collagen fibers) CYTOPLASM – caused by the presence
 Vascularized with capillary network of LAMELLAR BODIES
 May contain occasional small
openings that allows some Lamellar Bodies
movement of air between adjacent
alveoli – Alveolar Pores (of Kohn)  Contain concentric or parallel lamellae
 Contains phosphoplipids,
Has 3 Components: glycosaminoglycans and proteins – site
 Connective Tissue – where it is synthesized.
Elastic and Collagen
 Epithelium Surfactant
 Capillaries
 Composed mainly of dipalmitoyl
phosphatidylcholine and
phosphatidylglycerol
 Reduces surface tension on the alveoli

Alveolar Macrophages:
o Also known as Lung
Macrophage or Dust Cells
o Derived from from Monocyte
o Found in the alveoli and
interalveolar septum.
o Phagocytose lost erythrocytes
from damaged capillaries and
air borne particles that enter the
alveoli
o Active Macrophage - Slightly
darker (due to content of dust or
carbon form air and complexed
iron from erythrocyte)

Aubrey  Allan Je 5

 Blood – Air Barrier

- Separates air in the alveoli

from capillary blood
- Total thickness varies from
0.1 to 1.5 micrometer
Components:
*from Sir Tolentino’s Lecture:
1. Pulmonary Epithelial Cell
2. Basal Lamina of Alveolar Epithelium
3. Basal Lamina of Capillary Endothelium
4. Capillary Endothelial Cell

*from Junqueira (Basic Histology)

1. Surface lining and cytoplasm of the
alveolar cells
2. Fused basal lamina of the closely
apposed alveolar cells and capillary
endothelial cells
3. Cytoplasm of the endothelial cells

Capillary Endothelial Cells:

- Extremely thin
- Can be confused with Type I Alveolar
Epithelial Cells
- Its lining is CONTINUOUS and NOT
FENESTRATED
- Most Prominent Feature in the
Cytoplasm: NUMEROUS
PINOCYTOTIC VESICLES

Sources

 Wheater’s Functional Histology

 Basic Histology by Junqueira
 Lecture Notes

Trivia

A palindrome is a word, phrase, number or

other sequence of units that can be read the
same way in either direction. The word
"palindrome" was coined from Greek roots palin
(again) and dromos (way, direction) by English
writer Ben Jonson in the 17th century. The
actual Greek phrase to describe the
phenomenon is karkinikê epigrafê (crab
inscription), alluding to the backward movement
of crabs, like an inscription which can be read
backwards.

Examples:
Sit on a potato pan, Otis
Yo banana boy
Dammit, I'm mad!
Satan, oscillate my metallic sonatas
A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!
Madam, I'm Adam

At ang pinakabongga sa lahat........

MARIA AIRA M. 

Aubrey  Allan Je 6