THE NON-OLFACTORY NASAL EPITHELIUM IN THE ADULT GOAT - A SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDY

Surface characteristics of the non-olfactory nasal epithelium were stu died in seventeen clinically-normal goats by the use of the scanning e lectron microscope. Samples were taken from the nasal vestibule, alar fold, basal fold, dorsal nasal concha, ventral nasal concha, and middl e nasal concha. Samples were prepared for scanning electron microscope (SEM) in a routine manner and examined using a 501B (Phillips, Hollan d). The nasal vestibule was lined by a stratified squamous epithelium which was keratinised in the rostral region, the apical surfaces of sq uamous cells presented a number of microplicae in the rostral region. The microplicae were seen to be replaced by microvilli in the more pro tected aboral region. The alar and basal folds were both lined by a st ratified squamous epithelium rostrally and a ciliated epithelium furth er aborall. An epithelium lined by cuboidal cells was observed interpo sed between the rostrally directed stratified squamous epithelium and a ciliated epithelium aborally. Nasal conchae were lined by a ciliated epithelium. Mucus-producing cell were observed producing mucous in th e form of granules. Submucosal gland orifices were frequently observed on the surface. Patches of non-ciliated microvillous cells containing regenerating ciliated cells were a feature of the ciliated epithelium lining the nasal conchae. In this region, the degree of ciliation was observed to increase from rostral to aboral regions. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.