HISTOLOGY OF BRONCHIAL TREE AND LUNGS

DR MANAH CHANDRA CHANGMAI MBBS Msurg

TRACHEA
Mucosal epithelium
the majority of the cells form a pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium
Interspersed among the columnar, ciliated epithelial cells are,
Goblet cells (muscus secreting) are interspersed among the more numerous
columnar ciliated cells
Brush cells apical microvilli (may be immature goblet cells)
Basal cells - possibly stem cells that will divided to provide replacements for
dead or lost cells of the epithelium

Lamina propria
Contains many lymphocytes that are supported by a meshwork of elastic
and reticular fibers
A band of elastic fibers called the membrana elastica interna separates
the mucosa from the sub mucosa.
Submucosa
composed of loose connective tissue and contains the secretory
components of serous and mucous glands whose ducts empty into the
tracheal lumen

Trachea

Trachea
Trachea section H&E 10x objective
ciliated pseudostratified
columnar epithelium

adventitia

submucosa
lumen

adipose tissue

hyaline cartilage

Muscularis externa
In the trachea and bronchi contains three types of tissues.
a. Tracheal rings (C-shaped; open dorsally) of hyaline cartilage enclosed by a
perichondrium of dense regular connective tissue are evenly spaced along the
length of the trachea and the extrapulmonary bronchi.
b. Smooth muscle tissue forms the trachealis muscles which connect the ends of
each tracheal ring in the trachea and the extrapulmonary bronchi.
c. Moderately dense connective tissue occurs between adjacent tracheal rings
in the trachea and extrapulmonary bronchi
Adventitia
Loose connective is visible around the trachea and extrapulmonary bronchi
and merges with the loose connective tissue stroma of the lungs around the
intrapulmonary bronchi.

Trachea
Trachea section H&E 40x objective

cilia

ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium

submucosa

hyaline cartilage

Goblet cells should be seen easily scattered throughout the epithelial layer.

Trachea

LUNGS
(1) Each lung is subdivided into lobes. Each lobe is served by
an intrapulmonary bronchus which is a branch of an extrapulmonary
bronchus.
(2) Each lobe is subdivided into smaller lobules. Each lobule is supplied
by bronchioles (branches of intrapulmonary or secondary bronchi).
The smallest of these branches are referred to as terminal bronchioles.

(3) Each terminal bronchiole branches into one to three respiratory bronchioles.
(4) Each respiratory bronchiole branches into two to eleven alveolar ducts.
(5) Alveolar sacs are clusters of alveoli at the end of alveolar ducts.
(6) Essentially all gas exchange between air and blood occurs across the
walls of alveoli.

Lung

INTRAPULMONARY BRONCHUS

3 in right lung, 2 in left lung.

These intrapulmonary bronchi each each extend into a pulmonary lobe of the
lung and thus are sometimes called lobar bronchi.
These and subsequent bronchi undergo repeated branching culminating in the
formation of bronchioles.
Large intrapulmonary bronchi are histologically similar to the trachea and
primary bronchi.

Epithelium
Cartilage
plate
Glands

Adventitia

Cartilage
plate

Differences in the histology of extrapulmonary and intrapulmonary bronchi

Cartilage rings are reduced to irregular plates of cartilage.
A band of circular smooth muscle develops.
Goblet cells in the epithelium become less numerous.
Epithelium becomes reduced in height and simple columnar with less cilia.

Lymphatic nodules may be present in lamina propria, particularly at branching

points.

Intrapulmonary bronchus
Intrapulmonary bronchus cross section H&E 10x objective

ciliated pseudostratified
columnar epithelium

lumen

alveoli

The arrow shows a plate of cartilage, not a C-shaped ring. This is a diagnostic feature
of this type of bronchus. Very little smooth muscle is present.

Bronchioles

Bronchioles (less than 1 mm diameter)

Includes larger bronchioles terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles)
Mucosa
The epithelium varies according to the size of the air passageway.

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with a few scattered Goblet

cells occurs in larger bronchioles.
Ciliated simple columnar epithelium occurs in terminal bronchioles.
Ciliated and non-ciliated simple low columnar or cuboidal epithelium with
patches of simple squamous epithelium occurs in respiratory bronchioles.

Bronchiole
Bronchiole cross section H&E 4x objective

The arrow shows a bronchiole. there are no plates of cartilage around it. The
arrowhead points out a branch of the pulmonary artery.

Bronchiole
Bronchiole cross section H&E 40x objective
ciliated simple
columnar epithelium

the change in the epithelium to a short columnar/cuboidal with no goblet cells.

Cilia are still present.

Terminal Bronchiole

Lamina propria
Consists of loose connective tissue which may contain solitary lymphoid
nodules occurs in most bronchioles.
Muscularis externa
Consists of smooth muscle spirals around bronchioles and terminal
bronchioles but is usually scattered or absent around respiratory bronchioles
Absence of cartilgenous plates around the lumen
Adventitia
A very sparse loose connective tissue occurs in most bronchioles.

Respiratory Bronchiole

Alveoli, Alveolar Ducts, and Alveolar Sacs (clusters of alveoli)

Mucosa
(a) The epithelium varies with location. Patched of simple cuboidal epithelium occur
in the walls of alveolar ducts and alveolar sacs.
Alveoli are lined by simple squamous epithelium containing three major cell types.
[1] Type I pneumocytes (small alveolar cells) are squamous cells across
which most gas exchange occurs.
[2] Type II pneumocytes (giant alveolar cells) are rounded cells which
secrete surfactant.
[3] Pulmonary or alveolar macrophages are irregular-shaped monocytederived cells which remove foreign materials from alveoli and small
air passageways.

Jeanne Adiwinata Pawitan

Respiratory bronchiole
Respiratory bronchiole cross section H&E 10x objective

respiratory
bronchiole

Arrows indicate alveoli arises directly from the respiratory bronchiole. There is
simple squamous epithelium and some smooth muscle. PA=pulmonary artery

(b) The lamina propria is very thin loose connective tissue containing scattered
fibroblasts and very fine collagenous fibers. Numerous capillaries
are present around each alveolus.

Submucosa and "muscularis" externa

Absent in most areas around alveoli, but a few scattered smooth
muscle fibers occur around some alveolar ducts.

Alveolar walls & Alveolar cells

Alveoli
Respiratory bronchiole cross section H&E 10x objective
alveolar
wall
alveolar
sac

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