Ultrastructural Study of Tracheo-Bronchial Epithelium of Indian Goats (Capra hircus)

Abstract

The ultrastructure of trachea and bronchi was studied in Indian goats. The epithelium of trachea was
comprised of ciliated, non-ciliated, brush and basal cells. Ciliated cells were columnar and contained
numerous cilia, round and elongated mitochondria and many vacuoles. Non-ciliated cells or mucous cells were
columnar with basal nucleus and had mitochondria and mucous granules of varying density. Brush cells were
columnar with short microvilli, mucous granules, mitochondria, Golgi complex, granular and smooth endoplasmic
reticulum. Basal cells were arranged in two rows with few mitochondria, secretory vesicles and endoplasmic
reticulum. Bronchial epithelium was lined with ciliated cells, mucous cells and basal cells similar to that of
trachea however, ciliation was comparatively less.