Identify the structure at the arrow.

Identify the structure at the arrow.

• A. Basal lamina
• B. Goblet cells of the thyroid glands
• C. Goblet cells of the PCCE (pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium)
• D. Goblet cells of simple columnar epithelium

Answer: (C)

This item tests your ability to recognize a secretory cell in a ciliated respiratory epithelium. The structure at the arrow is a goblet cell within pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. Goblet cells are unicellular mucous glands with a pale, goblet-shaped cytoplasm that contains mucin granules, pushing the nucleus toward the base. In the respiratory tract, they sit among ciliated cells and secrete mucus to trap dust and microbes, with the cilia helping move the mucus upward. The basal lamina is a basement membrane beneath the epithelium, not a cell, and thyroid goblet cells don’t exist in thyroid histology. Goblet cells in simple columnar epithelium occur in other organs (like the intestine) and are not part of the pseudostratified, ciliated respiratory lining, so the best match is the goblet cell of PCCE.

This item tests your ability to recognize a secretory cell in a ciliated respiratory epithelium. The structure at the arrow is a goblet cell within pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. Goblet cells are unicellular mucous glands with a pale, goblet-shaped cytoplasm that contains mucin granules, pushing the nucleus toward the base. In the respiratory tract, they sit among ciliated cells and secrete mucus to trap dust and microbes, with the cilia helping move the mucus upward. The basal lamina is a basement membrane beneath the epithelium, not a cell, and thyroid goblet cells don’t exist in thyroid histology. Goblet cells in simple columnar epithelium occur in other organs (like the intestine) and are not part of the pseudostratified, ciliated respiratory lining, so the best match is the goblet cell of PCCE.