Describe the following structures that are part of the respiratory tubes and state their locations. a. pseudostratified epithelium b. cuboidal epithelium c. simple squamous epithelium d. goblet cells e. cartilage f. smooth muscle g. elastic fibers h. cilia

Solution

Verified

Answered 8 months ago

a. Pseudostratified epithelium is found in large airways and it consist of a basal, goblet, and ciliated cells. All of these cells lay on the basement membrane, but their nuclei do not appear in the same level, which explains the name of this epithelium. b. From the respiratory bronchioles, mucosa consists of cuboidal epithelium. It is composed of one layer of cube-shaped cells. c. Simple squamous epithelium consists of one layer of squamous cells and it is found in alveoli. This epithelium facilitates gas exchange. d. Goblet cells secrete mucus and they are found in the epithelium layer of large airways. e. Cartilaginous C-shaped rings are found in trahea while cartilaginous plates are located in the primary, secondary, and tertiary bronchi. They have a role in preventing airways from collapsing. f. Smooth muscle cells are found in the walls of the respiratory tract until the end of respiratory bronchioli while rare muscle cells can be seen in the walls of alveolar ducts. g. Elastic fibers are present inbetween the smooth muscle cells in the wall, but they are plentiful in the connective tissue around the respiratory tubes. h. Cilia represent hair-like structures that are found on the ciliated cells. They have a role in moving mucus along with foreign particles from the respiratory tract.