Goblet-Cell Density in Human Bronchus in Chronic Bronchitis

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Abstract
• In 50 patients, up to six mucosal biopsy specimens were taken during bronchoscopy from the medial part of the trachea and from the main and lobe bronchi, and the density of goblet cells was studied using the whole-mount method. No significant differences in density were found between the trachea and the main or lobe bronchi in the normal patients or in the cases with abnormalities. In the normal patients, the interindividual median density was 127 cells per field corresponding to 7,200 cells/sq mm; in chronic bronchitis, there were 174 cells per field corresponding to 9,800 cells/sq mm. The goblet-cell density was found to be significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. (Arch Otolaryngol 1983;109:673-676)