Histology of Larynx, Trachea, Bronchus_Dea Natalia_130110110190_E3/Respi

LARYNX
The larynx is a short passageway for air between the pharynx and trachea. Its wall contains skeletal
muscles and pieces of cartilage, all of which make the larynx specialized for sound production. The
lining of the larynx superior to the vocal folds is nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The
lining of the larynx inferior to the vocal folds is pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
consisting of ciliated columnar cells, goblet cells, and basal cells. The mucus produced by the goblet
cells helps trap dust not removed in the upper passages. The cilia in the upper respiratory tract move
mucus and trapped particles down toward the pharynx; the cilia in the lower respiratory tract move
them up toward the pharynx.
The low-power micrograph shows the upper laryngeal
vestibule (LV), which is surrounded by seromucous glands
(G). The lateral walls of this region bulge as a pair of broad
folds, the vestibular folds (VF). These also contain
seromucous glands and areolar tissue with MALT, often with
lymphoid nodules (L) and are largely covered by respiratory
epithelium, with regions near the epiglottis having stratified
squamous epithelium. Below each large vestibular fold is a
narrow space or ventricle (V), below which is another pair of
lateral folds, the vocal folds or cords (VC). These are covered
by stratified squamous epithelium and project more sharply
into the lumen, defining the rim of the opening into the
larynx itself. Each contains a large striated vocalis muscle
(VM) and nearer the surface a small ligament, which is cut transversely and therefore difficult to see
here.
TRACHEA
The layers of the tracheal wall, from deep to superficial, are the:
1. mucosa
epithelial layer of pseudo-stratified ciliated columnar epithelium consists of ciliated columnar
cells and goblet cells that reach the luminal surface, plus basal cells that do not; it provides the
same protection against dust as the membrane lining the nasal cavity and larynx
underlying layer of lamina propria that contains elastic and reticular fibers
2. submucosa
consists of areolar connective tissue that contains seromucous glands and their ducts
3. hyaline cartilage
the 1620 incomplete, horizontal rings of hyaline cartilage resemble the letter C, are stacked one
above another, and are connected together by dense connective tissue
the open part of each C-shaped cartilage ring faces posteriorly toward the esophagus and is
spanned by a fibromuscular membrane. Within this membrane are transverse smooth muscle
fibers, called the trachealis muscle, and elastic connective tissue that allow the diameter of the
trachea to change subtly during inhalation and exhalation, which is important in maintaining
efficient airflow; the solid C-shaped cartilage rings provide a semirigid support so that the
tracheal wall does not collapse inward (especially during inhalation) and obstruct the air
passageway
4. adventitia
consists of areolar connective tissue that joins the trachea to surrounding tissues

Histology of Larynx, Trachea, Bronchus_Dea Natalia_130110110190_E3/Respi

wall of the trachea is lined by typical respiratory epithelium (E)
underlain by connective tissue (CT) and seromucous glands (G) in
the lamina propria. The submucosa contains C-shaped rings of
hyaline cartilage (C) covered by perichondrium (P). The watery
mucous fluid produced by goblet cells and by the glands forms a
layer that permits the ciliary movement to propel foreign particles
continuously out of the respiratory system in the mucociliary
escalator. The openings in the cartilage rings are on the posterior
surface, against the esophagus, and contain smooth muscle and
elastic tissue. These allow distention of the tracheal lumen when
large pieces of food pass through the esophagus. The trachealis
muscle in the opening of the C also contracts during the cough
reflex to narrow the tracheal lumen and produce stronger
expulsion of air and dislodged mucus in the air passages

BRONCHUS
as the branching becomes more extensive in the bronchial tree, several structural changes may be
noted.
1. the mucous membrane in the bronchial tree changes from pseudostratified ciliated columnar
epithelium in the primary bronchi, secondary bronchi, and tertiary bronchi to ciliated simple
columnar epithelium with some goblet cells in larger bronchioles, to mostly ciliated simple cuboidal
epithelium with no goblet cells in smaller bronchioles, to mostly nonciliated simple cuboidal
epithelium in terminal bronchioles. (In regions where simple nonciliated cuboidal epithelium is
present, inhaled particles are removed by macrophages.)
2. plates of cartilage gradually replace the incomplete rings of cartilage in primary bronchi and finally
disappear in the distal bronchioles.
3. as the amount of cartilage decreases, the amount of smooth muscle increases. Smooth muscle
encircles the lumen in spiral bands. Because there is no supporting cartilage, however, muscle
spasms can close off the airways. This is what happens during an asthma attack, which can be a
life-threatening situation.
In a cross-section of a large bronchus the lining of
respiratory epithelium (E) and the mucosa are folded due
to contraction of its smooth muscle (SM). At this stage in
the bronchial tree, the wall is also surrounded by many
pieces of hyaline cartilage (C) and contains many
seromucous glands (G) in the submucosa which drain into
the lumen. In the connective tissue surrounding the bronchi
can be seen arteries and veins (V), which are also
branching as smaller and smaller vessels in the approach
to the respiratory bronchioles. All bronchi are surrounded
by distinctive lung tissue (LT) showing the many empty
spaces of pulmonary alveoli.

(a): A higher power view of the bronchus shows the epithelium (E) of mainly pseudostratified ciliated
columnar cells with a few goblet cells. The lamina propria (LP) contains the distinct layer of smooth
muscle (SM) surrounding the entire bronchus. The submucosa is the site of the supporting cartilage
(C) and the adventitia includes blood vessels (V) and nerves (N). Lung tissue (LT) directly surrounds
the adventitia of bronchi.

Histology of Larynx, Trachea, Bronchus_Dea Natalia_130110110190_E3/Respi

(b): This micrograph shows
the epithelium of a smaller
bronchus, in which the
epithelium is primarily of
columnar cells with cilia
(arrows), with fewer goblet
cells. The lamina propria has
both smooth muscle (SM) and
small serous glands