Review Question - QID 100805

Goblet cells are the cells (designated by black arrows) shown in Figure A and are last found at the level of the bronchi.

The airway is divided into the conducting zone and respiratory zone. The conducting zone includes the nose, nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and terminal bronchioles. While this area does not participate in gas exchange, it functions to bring air into and out of the lungs, and to warm, humidify, and filter air. Goblet cells play an important role in producing mucous to trap particulate matter that enters the airway.

Collins et al. discuss the lung cancers and their differentiation into small cell carcinoma or non-small cell carcinoma, which includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. The histology of the lung is important because each of these types arise from a particular cell type in the airway. The resultant signs and symptoms may vary depending on tumor type.

Davis and Dickey discuss another type of cell found in the respiratory tract, the Clara cells. These cells have cilia and produce a mucin like substance. In inflammatory conditions, mucin synthesis is massively upregulated in Clara cells, in a condition known as mucin metaplasia.

Figure A is a histological image of goblet cells. Goblet cells are glandular simple columnar epithelial cells that secrete mucin. In the image, they are the cells that are composed mainly of empty white spaces (designated by black arrows). Illustration A displays the anatomy of the respiratory tree.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 2-5: There are no goblet cells in the terminal bronchi, respiratory bronchioles, or alveolar ducts and sacs.