Page 663 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

FIGURE 17.4 ■ Olfactory mucosa and superior concha (panoramic view).

Stain: hematoxylin and eosin. Low magnification.

FIGURE 17.5 | Olfactory Mucosa: Details of

Transitional Area

This illustration depicts a transition between the olfactory epithelium (1) and
the respiratory epithelium (9). The olfactory epithelium (1) is a tall,
pseudostratified columnar epithelium composed of three different cell types:

supportive, basal, and neuroepithelial olfactory cells. The individual cell outlines
are difficult to distinguish in a routine histologic preparation; however, the
location and shape of nuclei allow identification of the cell types.

The supportive, or sustentacular cells (3), are elongated, with oval nuclei

situated more apically (or superficially) in the epithelium. The olfactory cells (4)
have oval or round nuclei that are located between the nuclei of the supportive
cells (3) and the basal cells (5). The apices and bases of the olfactory cells (4)
are slender. The apical surfaces of the olfactory cells (4) contain slender,

nonmotile microvilli that extend into the mucus (2) that covers the epithelial
surface. The basal cells (5) are short cells located at the base of the epithelium
between the supportive (3) and olfactory cells (4).

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