Abstract
A comprehensive study was made on the ciliated cells of the trachea from both morphological and functional viewpoints. In morphological studies, the number of the ciliated cells, the structure of the nucleus, the mucous granules, the cytoplasm, the brush cells existing in certain cells, and the condition and the function of goblet cell secretion were investigated using a light microscope.
Observation of the ultrastructure with an electronmicroscope showed that the cellular connection as well as the various components of the epitherial cells played an important role in the intrusion of various substances into the epithelium. In addition, it was found that the various types of microvilli, i, e., large and small, long and short, were closely related to external stimuli, and that the smooth surface endoplasmic reticulum was linked to the intrusion of substances from outside. The Golgi body was considered to possess a close relationship with the sorrounding tissues judging from its shape and distribution.
It was found that the cilia, composed mainly of the ciliated trunk and the basal body, had a special structure in the terminal edge, and that the basal body formed the base of ciliary movements. The cilia were considered to be derived from the diplosome or some grains of high electron density existing around the Golgi body. It was also considered that some cilia might become the compound cilia depending on the condition of external stimuli.
