Scanning electron microscopic demonstration of goblet cell discharge and mucous layer on nasal ciliated respiratory epithelium.
Respiratory cilia is covered by a layer of mucus. The manner in which the mucus makes its way to the cilia tips and distributes itself on the tips is not known. Scanning electron microscopic examination of nasal mucosa demonstrated cone-like goblet cell discharge as well as a thin layer of mucus enmeshed in the cilia tips. Further demonstration of mucus may demonstrate the differences in these two components.
D002923:Cilia / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009093:Mucus / Q000502:physiology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*