The influence of air current on goblet cell density in the mucosa of the normal uncinate process in the nasal cavity.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the density of goblet cells in the mucosa at the medial site of the uncinate process in the nasal cavity where the air current is high and compare with the goblet cell density on the protected lateral site of the uncinate process, thus establishing the function of the uncinate process in protecting the integrity of epithelium, in the meatus medius, from the distress caused by continuous airflow. Determining this function could have clinical implications, as patients routinely undergo removal of the uncinate process during endoscopic sinus surgery.


METHODS
The material comprised pieces of mucosa of 11 uncinate processes from the nasal cavity of 11 autopsies. The material was stained with PAS-Alcian blue after which the goblet cells were counted using a whole-mount method. Counting was done by only 1 of the authors and was not blinded.


RESULTS
The density of goblet cells was significantly higher on the lateral site than on the medial site of the uncinate process. Furthermore, goblet cell density was found to be higher on the superior part of the uncinate process, than on the inferior part.


CONCLUSIONS
The results seem to indicate that air current has consequential impact on the normal differentiation patterns of the epithelium in the nose. The significantly higher goblet cell density on the unexposed lateral site of the uncinate process suggests that at this site the sinus outlets are protected from air current trauma.
Sorensen
Henrik Bredahl
HB
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hillerød County Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. hbredahl@dadlnet.dk
Larsen
Per Leganger
PL
Tos
Mirko
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D002102:Cadaver; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012119:Respiration