What is the clinical significance of 'Squamous Metaplasia' in the trachea of chronic smokers?
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Correct answer: Ciliated epithelium is replaced by stratified squamous epithelium
Chronic irritation from smoke causes the delicate respiratory epithelium to transform into a more durable stratified squamous epithelium. While more resistant to physical damage, this new tissue lacks cilia and goblet cells, impairing mucus clearance.
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More Pseudostratified Epithelium questions
- Which of the following describes the arrangement of nuclei in a pseudostratified epithelium?
- Kulchitsky cells (K-cells) within the respiratory epithelium belong to which system?
- Which of the following is NOT a location for pseudostratified columnar epithelium?
- In a standard H&E stained slide, the basement membrane of the trachea often appears:
- Which cytoskeletal structure is found at the base of each cilium in pseudostratified columnar cells?
- The presence of which cell type is a key diagnostic feature for identifying respiratory epithelium?