HISTOLOGY OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

BY DR. MUDASSAR ALI ROOMI (MBBS, M. PHIL.)

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Definition: The complex of organs and tissues which are necessary to exchange blood carbon dioxide (CO2) with air oxygen (O2) is called the respiratory system. It consists of: 1. structures, which function as ducts, and which together are called the conductive portion of the respiratory system 2. structures which form the respiratory portion of the respiratory system, in which the exchange of CO2 and O2 is occurring and 3. the parts of the thoracic musculo-skeletal apparatus and specializations of the lung which allow the movement of air through the respiratory system - the ventilating mechanism.

 Conducting portion of respiratory system: it includes the nasal cavities, pharynx,larynx trachea, bronchi till terminal bronchioles. Its main function is air conditioning.

 Respiratory division of respiratory system: it comprises of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, pulmonary atria and alveoli. Its main function is the exchange of gases.

Main Functions of respiratory system

Gaseous exchange Olfaction phonation

Nasal Cavity
The Nasal cavity is divided into three structurally and functionally different parts. 1. THE VESTIBULES OF NOSE: the first 1.5 cm of the conductive portion following the nostrils is called as vestibule. lined by skin wihich has a keratinised stratified squamous epithelium. Skin also has sebaceous glands and sweat glands here. Hairs (vibrissae), which filter large, coarse particulate matter out of the airstream are also present.

Nasal Cavity

2. RESPIRATORY REGION OF NASAL CAVITY: At the transition from the vestibule to the respiratory region of the nasal cavity the epithelium becomes first stratified squamous and then pseudostratified columnar and ciliated. This type of epithelium is characteristic for all conductive passages dedicated to the respiratory system and therefore also called respiratory epithelium. Mucus producing goblet cells are present in this epithelium. The surface of the lateral parts of the nasal cavity is thrown into folds by bony projections called conchae. These folds increase the surface area and facilitate the air conditioning.

RESPIRATORY EPITHELIUM
Cell types in the respiratory epithelium are: 1. Ciliated columnar cells 2. Goblet cells 3. Basal cells 4. Brush cells 5. Small granule cells

Cilia

IMMOTILE CILIA SYNDROME

a disorder that causes infertility in men and chronic respiratory tract infections in both sexes, is caused by immobility of cilia and flagella induced, in some cases, by deficiency of dynein, a protein normally present in the cilia. Dynein participates in the ciliary movement. Kartaganer syndrome

IMMOTILE CILIA SYNDROME

3. OLFACTORY REGION IN THE NASAL CAVITY:

Mucosa on roof of nasal cavity, the superior concha and the superior nasal septum forms the olfactory region of the nasal cavity. stereocilia in the epithelium of the olfactory region arise from olfactory receptor cells (bipolar cells). The cell membrane covering the surface of the cilia contains olfactory receptors which respond to odour-producing substances. The olfactory cells and their processes receive mechanical and metabolic support from supporting cells (sustentacular cells). The supporting cells contain lipofuscin granules, which give a yellow-brown colour to the surface of the olfactory region. Basal cells can divide and differentiate into either olfactory or supporting cells (MCQ).

COMPARISON

PARANASAL AIR SINUSES

Frontal, maxillary, ethmoid and sphenoidal air sinuses. It contains the respiratory epithelium. Functions: air conditioning, resonance and making the skull light in weight.

Sinusitis
It is an inflammatory process of the sinuses that may persist for long periods of time. It is mainly because of obstruction of drainage orifices of the sinuses.

PHARYNX
The pharynx connects the nasal cavity with the larynx. Depending on the extent of abrasive forces on the epithelium, the pharynx is either lined with respiratory epithelium (nasopharynx) or with a stratified squamous epithelium (oropharynx and hypopharynx), which also covers the surfaces of the oral cavity and the oesophagus. Lymphocytes frequently accumulate beneath the epithelium of the pharynx (pharyngeal tonsils). The nasal cavity and pharynx form the upper respiratory passages.

LARYNX
The larynx connects the pharynx and trachea. The vocal folds of the larynx control airflow and allow the production of sound. The vocal folds are lined by stratified squamous epithelium and contain the muscle (striated, skeletal) and ligaments needed to control the tension of the vocal folds. The larynx is supported by a set of cartilages.

LARYNX

LARYNX
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium lines false vocal fold, as in posterior epiglottis Ventricle, a deep indentation, separates false vocal fold from true vocal fold True vocal fold lined by stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium Hyaline thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage provide support for the larynx. Epithelium in lower larynx changes back to pseudostratified ciliated columnar

EPIGLOTTIS
The epiglottis is the superior portion of the larynx that projects upward from the larynx s anterior wall. It has both a lingual and a laryngeal surface. A central elastic cartilage of epiglottis forms the framework of the epiglottis. Its lingual mucosa (anterior side) is lined with a stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium . The lingual mucosa with its stratified squamous epithelium covers the apex of the epiglottis and about half of the laryngeal mucosa (posterior side). Toward the base of the epiglottis on the laryngeal surface , the lining stratified squamous epithelium changes to pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. Located below the epithelium in the lamina propria on the laryngeal side of the epiglottis are tubuloacinar seromucous glands. In addition to the tongue, taste buds and solitary lymphatic nodules may be observed in the lingual epithelium or laryngeal epithelium