QUANTITATION OF THE SECRETORY-CELLS OF THE FERRET TRACHEOBRONCHIAL TREE

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  • 1 April 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 145, 173-188
Abstract
The secretory cells in the epithelium and submucosal glands of the tracheobronchial tree of the ferret have been quantitated, with light and electron microscopy. The tracheal epithelium has few goblet cells while sero-mucous submucosal glands are present in large numbers throughout the length of the trachea and bronchi. The epithelium consists mainly of ciliated cells and of dark cytoplasmic non-ciliated cells that sometimes contain secretory granules. Any ''respiratory tract fluid'' secreted into the ferret trachea is probably mainly glandular in origin. The epithelium contains neutrophils and a few mast cells and eosinophils. Nerve fibers are virtually absent from the epithelium, and this may be associatsed with a lack of the cough reflex from the ferret trachea.