Findings

Ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium is characteristic of the large airways of the respiratory tract. Note that not all of the nuclei are confined to the base of the cells but are located at different levels, giving the impression of multiple cell layers. Numerous cilia help remove debris trapped in mucus produced by goblet cells. A few lymphocytes can be seen interspersed throughout the epithelium and the subjacent connective tissue.

Comment

In ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium, it is difficult to ascertain if all cells make contact with the basement membrane at the light microscopic level, but cilia on the apical surface are readily identifiable. While both simple columnar and pseudostratified columnar epithelia have goblet cells, the microvilli of the brush border are shorter and more numerous than cilia.

Preparation

Paraffin section, hematoxylin and eosin

View

Medium-power light microscopy

Specimen

Nasal mucosa

Image Credit

Katsumi M. Miyai, M.D., Ph.D
Department of Pathology
School of Medicine
University of California, San Diego