Michael V.

Urrutia
MD 1-F2
Clinical Case
Respiratory System
1. The conducting portion of the respiratory system consists of the nasal cavities,
nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and terminal bronchioles
The respiratory portion, where the systems main function of gas exchange occurs
that consists of respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.
2. The lining of the conduction portion of the respiratory system is Respiratory
Epithelium or pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium. Except for the
superior nasal conchae of the nasal cavity
3. Histologic features of the respiratory system

Region

Epithelium

Glands

Musculoskele
tal Support
Hyaline
cartilage

Other features and

major function
Vibrissae and moisture
both filter and
humidify air

Vestibules
of nasal
cavities

Stratified
squamous,
keratinized to
nonkeratinize
d
Respiratory

Sebaceous
and sweat
glands

Bone and
hyaline
cartilage
Bone
(ethmoid)

Rich vasculature and

glands warm, humidify
air and clean air
Solubilize and detect
odorant molecules in
air

Olfactory
with bipolar
neurons

Serous
(Bowman)

Respiratory
and stratified
squamous

Seromucous

Bone and
skeletal
muscle

Conduct air to larynx;

pharyngeal and
palatine tonsils

Mucous
glands

Bronchi

Respiratory

None

Bronchioles

Simple
ciliated
cuboidal to
columnar
with Clara
cells
Simple
cuboidal,
ciliated and
clara cells

Elastic and
hyaline
cartilage
C-shaped
rings of
hyaline
cartilage
Prominent
spiral bands
of smooth
muscle; with
hyaline
cartilage
plates
Prominent
circular layer
of smooth
muscle no
cartilage

Site for phonation

Trachea

Respiratory
and stratified
squamous
Respiratory

Thin,
incomplete
circular layer
of smooth
muscle; no
cartilage
Fewer
smooth
muscle fibers,
mostly
around
alveolar
openings
Bands of
smooth
muscle
around
alveolar

Conduct air to
respiratory portions of
lungs

Most areas
of nasal
cavities
Superior
areas of
nasal
cavities
Nasopharyn
x and
posterior
oropharynx
Larynx

Terminal
Bronchioles

Respiratory
bronchioles

Alveolar
ducts and
sacs

Simple
cuboidal,
cilated and
clara cells
with
scattered
alveoli
Simple
cuboidal
between
many alveoli

Seromucous

Mainly
mucous
glands

Conduct air to primary

bronchi
Conduct air deeper
into lungs

Conduct air; important

in bronchoconstriction
and bronchodilation

Conduct air deeper,

with some gas
exchange

Conduct air with gas

exchange

4. Clara cells are most numerous in the cuboidal epithelium of terminal bronchioles.,
which have nonciliated, dome-shaped apical ends with secretory granules.
5. Functions of Clara Cells
Secretion of surfactant
Detoxification of inhaled xenobiotic compounds by enzymes of SER
Secretion of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines for local immune defense
In a stem cell subpopulation, injury induced mitosis for replacement of the other
bronchiolar cell ypes
6. Cells lining the pulmonary alveoli
a) Type I alveolar cells: maintain the alveolar side of the blood-air-barrier and cover
about 95% of the alveolar surface.
b) Type II alveolar cells: cuboidal cells that bulge into the air space. These cells are
often grouped into 2 or 3 cells. Their nuclei are rounded and may have nucleoli
and their cytoplasm is typically lightly stained with many vesicles.
7. The cells that secrete surfactant are the Type II alveolar cells. Many vesicles of the
these cells are lamellar bodies that contains lipids, phospholipids and proteins that
are continuously synthesized and released at the apical cell surface which spreads
over the entire inner alveolar surface acting as pulmonary surfactant that lowers
surface tension.
8. Surfactant reduces the surface tension at the air-epithelium interface which helps
prevent alveolar collapse at exhalation and allows easy expansion upon inhalation.
9. The structures that make up the respiratory membrane or blood air barrier are:
2 to 3 highly attenuated, thin cells lining the alveolus
fused basal laminae of cells and the capillary endothelial cells
thin endothelial cells of the capillary.