Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar Epithelium Tutorial

Please read Unit 1 – Introduction to Epithelial Tissues prior to completing the activities in this chapter.

Introduction to Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar Epithelium

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium is composed primarily of tall slender cells (columnar cells) with cilia at their apical surface.  All the columnar cells within the tissue remain in contact with the basement membrane and thus pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium is actually a simple tissue.  However, the nuclei of columnar cells are located at many different heights above the basement membrane and the cell membranes between individual cells are difficult to differentiate under normal light microscopy which gives the tissue a pseudostratified (falsely stratified) appearance.  Another defining characteristic of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium is the presence of numerous goblet cells which are modified columnar cells that produce and secrete mucus.  Mucus from goblet cells serves to coat cilia on the apical surface with a thin layer of mucus which helps capture and clear small particulates passing through the respiratory tract.

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium is found mainly in the human respiratory tract, specifically lining the nasal passages, trachea, and bronchi.  A slightly different version of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with elongated microvilli (known as stereocilia) at the apical surface of the cells lines the epididymis and vas deferens (ductus deferens) of the male reproductive tract.

Tutorial:  Use the image slider below to learn more about the characteristics of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. 

Microscopy:  Use the image slider below to learn how to use a microscope to identify and study pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium on a microscope slide of trachea tissue.

Tutorial:  Use the hotspot image below to learn more about the characteristics of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. 

Tutorial:  Use the hotspot image below to learn more about the characteristics of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. 

Tutorial:  Use the hotspot image below to learn more about the characteristics of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. 

Tutorial:  Use the image slider below to study numerous examples of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium.