The anatomy of the human lung / by A.T. Houghton Waters.

  • Waters, A. T. H. (Alderman Thomas Houghton), 1826-1912.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The anatomy of the human lung / by A.T. Houghton Waters. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    renders the tube eminently elastic in the longitudinal direction, and provides for its return to its original length, after it has been elongated. It is more abundant on the posterior wall than elsewhere, in consequence of the absence of the cartilages in that region. 5, The Mucous Membrane. — The mucous mem- brane of the trachea is continuous above with that lining the larynx, and below it passes into the two bronchi, and is thence continued into the lungs. In a state of health it is of a pale pink colour, perfectly smooth, and nearly transparent. It adheres tolerably firmly to the structure beneath it. Structure.—In structure it resembles other mucous membranes, and consists of: — 1. An Epithelium. 2. A Basement Membrane. 8. Areolar Tissue. 1. The Epithelium. — This consists of a layer of ciliated columnar epithelia, composed of several laminae, and having a thickness of -y^-g- to 4-^-5- of an inch. The superficial lamina consists of cylindrical cells surmounted by cilia, whilst the deeper laminte are composed of cells not yet mature, which are more or less oval or elongated in shape, being more elon- gated as they are placed nearer to the free surface. The ciliated epithelial cells consist of elongated club-shaped bodies, having an average length of ■5-5-5- -roVo of inch, and a breadth of ■j-'oVo' of an inch. They are broadest at their free surface, from which they taper to their opposite extre- mity, and this is mostly pointed, and often prolonged into a slender tail-like process, sometimes of very considerable length. Some of the cells are very