Histology Photomicrographs

Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL& 241L-242L)
Karen Hart, Peninsula College

• Epithelial tissue
  • Simple squamous epithelium
  • Simple cuboidal epithelium
  • Simple columnar epithelium
  • Pseudostratified epithelium
  • Stratified squamous epithelium
  • Transitional epithelium
• Connective tissue proper
• Skin
• Cartilage and bone
• Skeletal muscle, smooth muscle
• Nervous system
• Cardiovascular system
• Lymphatic system
• Respiratory system
• Digestive system
• Urinary system
• Reproductive system
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• Histology home page

Epithelial tissue: Pseudostratified epithelium

Example: A pseudostratified epithelium forms the lining of the trachea.

In a pseudostratified epithelium one can see nuclei n at several different levels, giving an appearance of an epithelium composed of layers of cells (a stratified epithelium).

However it has been shown that all of the cells of a pseudostratified epithelium are in contact with the basement membrane bm. The term pseudo (false) reminds one that this is not a stratified epithelium.

In most locations in the body pseudostatified epithelia are ciliated. The lining of the trachea is an example of a ciliated pseudostratified epithelium.

lu = lumen of trachea
ct = connective tissue