Respiratory system

Respiratory system
Respiratory system
• A. Nasal Cavity
• 1. Respiratory Region
• The respiratory region is lined by respiratory
(pseudostratified ciliated columnar) epithelium.
The sub-epithelial connective tissue is richly
vascularized and possesses seromucous glands.
 Respiratory system
• 2. Olfactory Region
• The epithelium of the olfactory region is thick, pseudostratified
ciliated columnar epithelium composed of three cell types: basal
cell, sustentacular cells, and olfactory cells. The lamina propria
is richly vascularized and possesses Bowman’s glands, which
produce a watery mucus.
 Respiratory system
• B. Larynx
• The larynx is lined by a respiratory epithelium except
for certain regions that are lined by stratified squamous
nonkeratinized epithelium. From superior to inferior, the
lumen of the larynx presents three regions: the vestibule,
the ventricle, and the infraglottic cavity. The ventricular and
vocal folds are the superior and inferior boundaries of the
ventricle, respectively. Cartilages, extrinsic and intrinsic
muscles, as well as mucous and seromucous glands are
present in the larynx.
 Respiratory system
• C. Trachea

• 1. Mucosa
• The mucosa of the trachea is composed of a respiratory epithelium with numerous goblet
cells, a lamina propria, and a well-defined elastic lamina.

• 2. Submucosa
• The submucosa houses mucous and seromucous glands.

• 3. Adventitia
• The adventitia is the thickest portion of the tracheal wall. It houses the C-rings of hyaline
cartilage (or thick connective tissue between the rings). Posteriorly, the trachealis muscle
(smooth muscle) fills in the gap between the free ends of the cartilage.
 Respiratory system
• D. Extrapulmonary Bronchi
• Extrapulmonary bronchi resemble the trachea in
histologic structure
• E. Intrapulmonary Bronchi
• These and subsequent passage ways are completely
surrounded by lung tissue.
 Respiratory system
• 1. Mucosa
• Intrapulmonary bronchi are lined by respiratory epithelium with goblet cells. The
subepithelial connective tissue is no longer bordered by an elastic lamina.
• 2. Muscle
• Two ribbons of smooth muscle are wound helically around the mucosa.
• 3. Cartilage
• The C-rings are replaced by irregularly shaped hyaline cartilage plates that encircle the
smooth muscle layer. Dense collagenous connective tissue connects the perichondria of
the cartilage plates.
• 4. Glands
• Seromucous glands occupy the connective tissue between the cartilage plates and
smooth muscle. Lymphatic nodules and branches of the pulmonary arteries are also
present.
 Respiratory system
• F. Bronchioles
• Bronchioles are lined by ciliated simple columnar to simple
cuboidal epithelium interspersed with non-ciliated Clara
cells. Goblet cells are found only in larger bronchioles. The
lamina propria possesses no glands and is surrounded by
smooth muscle. The walls of bronchioles are not supported
by cartilage. The largest bronchioles are about 1 mm in
diameter.
Respiratory system

• G. Terminal Bronchioles
• Terminal bronchioles are usually less than 0.5 mm in
diameter. The lumen is lined by simple cuboidal
epithelium (some ciliated) interspersed with Clara cells.
The connective tissue and smooth muscle of the wall of
the terminal bronchioles are greatly reduced.
 Respiratory system
• II. RESPIRATORY PORTION
• A. Respiratory Bronchiole
• Respiratorybronchioles resemble terminal bronchioles, but they
possess outpocketings of alveoli in their walls. This is the fi rst
region where exchange of gases occurs.
• B. Alveolar Ducts
• Alveolar ducts possess no walls of their own. They are long, straight
tubes lined by simple squamous epithelium and display numerous
outpocketings of alveoli. Alveolar ducts end in alveolar sacs.
Respiratory system
• C. Alveolar Sacs
• Alveolarsacs are composed of groups of alveoli clustered
around a common air space.
• D. Alveolus
• Analveolus is a small air space partially surrounded by
highly attenuated epithelium. Two types of cells are
present in the lining:
 Respiratory system
• type I pneumocytes (lining cells)
• and type II pneumocytes (produce surfactant). The opening of the alveolus is
controlled by elastic fibers.
• Alveoli are separated from each other by richly vascularized walls known as
interalveolar septa, some of which present alveolar pores (communicating
spaces between alveoli). Dust cells (macrophages), fibroblasts, and other
connective tissue elements may be noted in interalveolar septa. The blood-air
barrier is a part of the interalveolar septum, the thinnest of which is composed
of surfactant, continuous endothelial cells, type I pneumocyte, and their
intervening fused basal laminae