This microanatomy lab was adapted from the work of Dr. J. Singh.
Trachea
- Slide 84, trachea of a kitten
Identify the four layers of the trachea.
Look closely at the respiratory epithelium and identify the following structures.
Pop Quiz
What is the function of cilia, goblet cells, and basal cells?
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Cilia: Push foreign material up the trachea
Goblet cells: Produce mucus
Basal cells: Replenish the cells of the mucosal surface
Lung
- Slide 85, lung of a horse
- Slide 86, lung of a lamb
Examine Slide 85 and look for the different levels of the respiratory duct system: bronchi, bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli. **Note: This species does not have respiratory bronchioles.
I Spy
Can you find an area of this slide on Olyvia where an alveolar duct merges with a bronchiole?
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Identify the following structures at a higher power.
Look at Slide 86. This is an Epon section, a special type of resin used for making very thin slices of tissue. Use this slide to look closely at the structure of alveoli and components of the blood-air barrier.
Identify type I pneumocytes, type II pneumocytes, and endothelial cells in this slide.
Avian Lung
- Slide 87, chicken lung
Identify the major structures of the avian lung: parabronchus, atrial chambers, and air capillaries.
Pop Quiz
There are many many many bright pink, nucleated cells throughout this slide. What are they?
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Erythrocytes
Fetal Trachea
- Slide 122c, fetal gerbil
- Slide 151, fetal horse trachea
Examine the mucosa, submucosa, and tracheal cartilage. For each, determine if there are cilia, goblet cells, or submucosal glands present.
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Gerbil: Few cilia, goblet cells and submucosal glands are not present
Foal: Cilia present, goblet cells developing, submucosal glands developing
Fetal Lung
- Slide 123a, fetal gerbil
- Slide 152, fetal horse lung
For both slides, identify the air ducts and vascular components of the lungs. Are bronchi and bronchioles distinct from each other?
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Yes, as the bronchi have cartilage around them, while the bronchioles do not.
Are the alveoli developed at this stage? Are they inflated?
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Gerbil: Yes, primitive alveoli that are inflated
Foal: No alveolar development, not inflated
What developmental stage are these lungs?
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Gerbil: Primitive alveolar stage of the fetal period
Foal: Pseudoglandular or canaliculi stage of the fetal period
