The Respiratory Epithelium

• • The typical respiratory epithelium is a pseudostratified, ciliated columnar epithelium with mucous cells. As you move distally within the respiratory tract, the epithelium changes, resulting in a simple squamous epithelium specialized for gas exchange.
• The respiratory epithelium is a pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with numerous mucous cells
• The respiratory filtration mechanisms form the respiratory defense system
• The greatest changes occur within the nasal cavity
• In the nasal cavity, cilia sweep that mucus and any trapped debris toward the pharynx, where it is swallowed and exposed to enzymes in the stomach
• In the lower respiratory system, the cilia beat toward the pharynx, moving a carpet of mucus in that direction and cleaning the respiratory surfaces in a mechanism known as the mucociliary escalator