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Trachea (cross section)

    

Overview

Clinical anatomy

General thorax anatomy

Clinical

Bilateral pneumothorax
Bronchial stenosis
Left tension pneumothorax

Slide 73: Trachea

H/E

This specimen is a section through the trachea.

Identify:

Macroscopic

  • The ring shaped trachea.

  • The horseshoe shaped hyaline cartilage.

Microscopic

  • Lumen

  • Epithelium

  • Lamina propria

  • Submucosa

  • Cartilage

  • Muscle

  • Adventitia.

  • The four types of cells that are found in this epithelium.

  • Lacunae

  • Chondrocytes

  • Matrix

  • Perichondrium

 

Draw and annotate:

A line drawing of the trachea showing the layers it is comprised of.

A few epithelial cells in which all four types of cells are present. Clearly indicate each of the four cell types.

A portion of the cartilage and perichondrium in fine detail.

 

Reflection:
  1. How does each one of the four cell types appear in this epithelium?
  2. Why is this epithelium described as pseudostratified?
  3. What are the functions of each of the four cell types?
  4. What is characteristic of the shape, size and arrangement of the lacunae?
  5. What is the appearance of chondrocytes?
  6. What is the appearance of the matrix?
  7. What type of growth is found in hyaline cartilage?
  8. What type of epithelium, comprising how many different cell types, line the trachea?
  9. What are the two prominent structures of the lamina propria?
  10. What prominent structures are found in the submucosa?
  11. Which cartilage is found here?
  12. Where and what type of muscle is found here?
 

Slides

Microscope

Cross section through the trachea
Cross section through the trachea
Section through the wall of the trachea
Section through the wall of the trachea
Section through the wall of the trachea
Section through the wall of the trachea
Section through the wall of the trachea
Section through the wall of the trachea
Section through the wall of the trachea

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium

Calibration

  1. What type of epithelial tissue lines the inner surface of the human trachea?
  2. Describe the appearance and function of cilia in the tracheal epithelium.
  3. What is the role of goblet cells in the histology of the trachea?
  4. How does the histology of the trachea differ from that of the bronchi?
  5. What is the significance of the cartilaginous rings in the structure of the trachea?
  6. Describe the distribution of smooth muscle in the tracheal wall and its function.
  7. What is the composition of the submucosa in the trachea?
  8. How does the tracheal epithelium protect against pathogens and debris?
  9. What types of glands are present in the tracheal submucosa and their function?
  10. How does the histology of the trachea change during coughing or forced expiration?
  11. What is the primary function of the trachea?
  12. What type of cartilage forms the tracheal rings?
  13. What fills the gaps between the tracheal cartilage rings?
  14. What lines the inner surface of the trachea?
  15. What is the function of the trachealis muscle?
  16. What lies posterior to the trachea?
  17. What is the histological composition of the tracheal wall?
  18. What prevents the trachea from collapsing during inspiration?
  19. What is the clinical significance of the trachea?
  20. Where does the trachea bifurcate?
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© februarie - julie 2008 marius loots