Nasal mucosa (respiratory mucosa): gross and microscopic anatomy

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

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Inside the nasal cavity, the surfaces of the turbinate bones (= nasal conchae) and meatuses are lined by respiratory mucosa (= nasal mucosa).

Coronal View of the Respiratory Mucosa and highlighted

An expanded view of the respiratory mucosa shows more detail about its layered composition.

an expanded view of the respiratory mucosa

Along the image descriptionluminal (nasal) surface is pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. Interspersed among the columnar cells in the epithelium are many flask-shaped image descriptiongoblet cells.

An expanded view of the Respiratory Mucosa
An expanded view of the Respiratory Mucosa and the pseudostratified columnar epithelium
An expanded view of the Respiratory Mucosa and the goblet cell labeled
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The densely packed cells in the epithelium are embedded in a thin, adhesive sheet called the image descriptionbasement membrane. Deep to the basement membrane is a thicker layer of loose connective tissue called the image descriptionlamina propria. Many image descriptionblood vessels and image descriptionseromucosal glands  are also present in the lamina propria.

Identify and solve the holes in your respiratory system anatomy knowledge using these interactive quizzes and worksheets.

An expanded view of the Respiratory Mucosa
An expanded view of the Respiratory Mucosa and the basement membrane labeled
An expanded view of the Respiratory Mucosa and the lamina propria labeled
An expanded view of the Respiratory Mucosa and the blood vesselsl labeled
An expanded view of the Respiratory Mucosa and the seromucosal cells labeled
Swipe to switch between labels
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Micrograph of respiratory mucosa:

Micrograph of the Respiratory Mucosa
Micrograph of the Respiratory Mucosa with labeled Cilia, Goblet Cell, Connective tissue, pseudostratified columnar epithelium, basement membrane, lamina propria
Swipe to show/ hide labels
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Physiology of the Respiratory Mucosa (Nasal Mucosa)

  • As air image descriptionpasses over the nasal mucosa, it is prepared or conditioned to safely pass deeper into the respiratory system.
  • The heat radiated from the blood vessels in the lamina propria image descriptionwarms the air to near body temperature.
  • Simultaneously, the watery mucus image descriptionsecreted from the goblet cells and seromucosal glands humidifies (= adds moisture) the air.
  • It also traps foreign particles and keeps them from entering other parts of the respiratory tract.
  • Wave-like image descriptionbeating of the epithelial cilia moves the debris-filled mucus to the throat, where it is usually swallowed.

    Test your respiratory system knowledge from every angle using these interactive quizzes and worksheets.

An expanded view of the nasal mucosa
The air flow over the cilia
The warming by the capillaries
The secretions produced by the nasal mucosa
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An Overview of the Respiratory Mucosa:

image descriptionShow/image descriptionHide answers

Test Yourself on Respiratory Mucosa with answers hidden
Test Yourself on Respiratory Mucosa with answers shown
Test yourself while observing the Respiratory Mucosa
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image descriptionShow/image descriptionHide answers

Test Yourself on Nasal Mucosa with answers hidden
Test Yourself on Nasal Mucosa with answers shown
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Interactive quiz about the nasal mucosa and the layers of the nasal cavity

Nasal Cavity Quiz: Surface Lining and Layers

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