Histology of the Respiratory Tract A Second Look

Michael Hortsch, Ph.D. Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Michigan hortsch@umich.edu

How to use the Second Look PowerPoint files to their best effect:
The Second Look PowerPoint series was developed as a self-review and evaluation tool before students take a histology quiz or exam. The files review the important material in a concise manner in a simple question-answer style. The Second Look files make use of the PowerPoint animation feature. Viewing the slides just in an open window does not activate this feature and some slides will be confusing and unreadable. For best use, open the file with the PowerPoint program and run it as a slideshow by clicking on the button. The answers to the questions and new questions will appear after repeated clicking of the forward button or your mouse.

Name the major cell types, which you would find in the type of epithelium that is shown in this micrograph :
The respiratory epithelium of the upper respiratory tract contains the following cell types :

Ciliated cells
Goblet cells

Brush cells
Small granule cells

Serous secreting cells

Basal stem cells

Which Which apical apical extensions extensions are infound the upper on brush respiratory and also epithelium goblet cells are? involved Which cytoskeletal in the removal structure of excess is found mucus inand these inhaled apicalsmall extensions particles? ?

Microvilli Cilia ofcontain the ciliated actin cells filaments

Which part of the respiratory tract is shown in this image ?

Olfactory epithelium (Note the absence of goblet cells, as well as the
presence of Bowmans glands and nerves)

Identify the cells/ structures indicated by the arrow(s).

Bowmans gland Olfactory neuron Basal cell Sustentacular cell

Identify this section of the respiratory tract and state the reasons for your decision.
Region of the true vocal cords of the larynx
(Note the stratified squamous epithelium and the presence of skeletal muscles)

Which part of the respiratory tract is shown in this image ? Trachea Identify the type of tissue shown in the insert Hyaline cartilage

Identify the general secretion products from the acini marked by the green and blue dashed lines.
The acini labeled by the green lines produce mucous secretion The acini labeled by the blue lines produce serous secretion

Identify the segment of the respiratory tract that is shown in cross section in this micrograph.
(Small) bronchus
(Note the hyaline cartilage chips)

Identify the tissue in the magnified insert

Smooth muscle

Which part of the respiratory tract is marked by the asterisk in this image ?

Bronchiole
(No cartilage chips are present)

*
The asterisk is in which part of the lung tissue ?
Terminal bronchiole

Identify the cells in this terminal bronchiole epithelium, which are marked by the red arrows. What are their main functions ?
Clara cells are non-ciliated, dome-shaped cells that have secretory and detoxification functions. They also act as stem cells for other cell types of the lower respiratory epithelium.

Indicate the end points of the conducting tract or the beginning of the respiratory portion.

The asterisk indicates which part of the respiratory tract ?

Respiratory bronchiole

Identify the cell that that is marked Identify the cell is by by by the the the orange green blue dashed dashed dashed line line line marked by the red dashed line
Type 1 pneumocyte
(is a flat cell at the alveolar side of the alveolar wall)

Capillary endothelial cell

(is a flat cell lining the capillary inner surface)

Erythrocyte
(in an alveolar capillary)

Type 2 pneumocyte
(is a cuboidal cell of the alveolar wall)

Identify the cell depicted in this EM micrograph and marked by the red dashed line
A type II pneumocyte
(Note the cuboidal cell shape. The multilamellar bodies are marked by the blue arrows and are not well preserved in this specimen)

Identify the group of cells inside the green box.

Pulmonary macrophages or dust cells
(Note that the cells reside in the alveolar lumen. They are large, irregularly-shaped cells with grainy, endocytosed material in their cytoplasm)

Identify and name the structure shown in the insert

Air-blood barrier

Name the cells-structures labeled with A, B and C

A) type 1 pneumocyte B) Basement membrane C) Endothelial cell

A B C

Bronchiolar artery

Pulmonary artery

Review the pulmonary blood circulation. In which parts of the lung tissue can the three types of blood vessels be found ?
Which blood vessels conduct oxygen-poor and which blood vessels oxygen-rich blood ?

Pulmonary vein

Bronchial arteries and Pulmonary arteries travel along the bronchiolar system, Pulmonary veins are usually not associated with the lower branches of the bronchiolar system. Pulmonary arteries supply deoxygenated blood. Bronchial arteries supply oxygenated blood. After oxygenation in the capillary plexuses, blood is drained by Pulmonary veins.

Identify the blood vessel indicated by the arrow.

Pulmonary artery

Does this blood vessel carry oxygenated or deoxygenated blood ?

Deoxygenated blood

Identify the blood vessel indicated by the arrow.

Bronchiolar artery

Does this blood vessel carry oxygenated or deoxygenated blood ?

Oxygenated blood

Identify the two blood vessels marked by the red asterisks.

* *

Pulmonary veins

Do these blood vessels carry oxygenated or deoxygenated blood ?

Oxygenated blood

Pair the structures in the left column with the correct term in the right column.
Clara cells Pneumocytes type I Pneumocytes type II Bronchiolar arteries Dust cells Bronchiolar smooth muscle layer Pores of Kohn Bowmans glands Phagocytosis Oxygenated blood supply Air-blood barrier Collateral ventilation Asthma Serous secretion Detoxification Surfactant production

Study the histological differences along the respiratory tract. Where can you find hyaline cartilage rings and chips ? A visible smooth muscle layer ? Goblet cells ? Ciliated epithelial cells ?

Histology of the Respiratory Tract A Second Look

Michael Hortsch, Ph.D. Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Michigan hortsch@umich.edu