Nasal cavities: Mucosae

The nasal septum separates the two nasal cavities (X) and is supported by hyaline cartilage anteriorly (seen here) and bone posteriorly. It is lined by a respiratory mucosa on its lower surface (blue arrows); the upper regions are lined by an olfactory mucosa (red arrows). Note that the olfactory epithelium and underlying lamina propria are much thicker than the corresponding layers in the respiratory region.

Respiratory mucosa consists of a pseudostratified respiratory epithelium with cilia and goblet cells. The underlying lamina propria contains numerous blood vessels that moderate the air temperature and muco-serous glands that moisten the surface. The mucosa, which lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina, is supported either by cartilage or bone depending on the region.

Respiratory mucosa consists of a pseudostratified respiratory epithelium with cilia and goblet cells. The underlying lamina propria contains numerous blood vessels that moderate the air temperature and muco-serous glands that moisten the surface. The mucosa, which lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina, is supported either by cartilage or bone depending on the region.

Respiratory mucosa consists of a pseudostratified respiratory epithelium with cilia and goblet cells. The underlying lamina propria contains numerous blood vessels that moderate the air temperature and muco-serous glands that moisten the surface. The mucosa, which lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina, is supported either by cartilage or bone depending on the region.

Respiratory mucosa consists of a pseudostratified respiratory epithelium with cilia and goblet cells. The underlying lamina propria contains numerous blood vessels that moderate the air temperature and muco-serous glands that moisten the surface. The mucosa, which lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina, is supported either by cartilage or bone depending on the region.

Respiratory mucosa consists of a pseudostratified respiratory epithelium with cilia and goblet cells. The underlying lamina propria contains numerous blood vessels that moderate the air temperature and muco-serous glands that moisten the surface. The mucosa, which lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina, is supported either by cartilage or bone depending on the region.

Olfactory mucosa lines the upper portions of the nasal cavity. Both the epithelium and lamina propria are much thicker than in respiratory mucosa. The epithelium consists of the highly specialized pseudostratified olfactory epithelium with olfactory neurons for detecting odorants. The underlying lamina propria contains purely serous glands, called Bowman’s glands or olfactory glands, along with blood vessels and nerves. Like respiratory mucosa, olfactory mucosa lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina; it is mostly supported by bone.

Olfactory mucosa lines the upper portions of the nasal cavity. Both the epithelium and lamina propria are much thicker than in respiratory mucosa. The epithelium consists of the highly specialized pseudostratified olfactory epithelium with olfactory neurons for detecting odorants. The underlying lamina propria contains purely serous glands, called Bowman’s glands or olfactory glands, along with blood vessels and nerves. Like respiratory mucosa, olfactory mucosa lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina; it is mostly supported by bone.

Olfactory mucosa lines the upper portions of the nasal cavity. Both the epithelium and lamina propria are much thicker than in respiratory mucosa. The epithelium consists of the highly specialized pseudostratified olfactory epithelium with olfactory neurons for detecting odorants. The underlying lamina propria contains purely serous glands, called Bowman’s glands or olfactory glands, along with blood vessels and nerves. Like respiratory mucosa, olfactory mucosa lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina; it is mostly supported by bone.

Olfactory mucosa lines the upper portions of the nasal cavity. Both the epithelium and lamina propria are much thicker than in respiratory mucosa. The epithelium consists of the highly specialized pseudostratified olfactory epithelium with olfactory neurons for detecting odorants. The underlying lamina propria contains purely serous glands, called Bowman’s glands or olfactory glands, along with blood vessels and nerves. Like respiratory mucosa, olfactory mucosa lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina; it is mostly supported by bone.

Olfactory mucosa lines the upper portions of the nasal cavity. Both the epithelium and lamina propria are much thicker than in respiratory mucosa. The epithelium consists of the highly specialized pseudostratified olfactory epithelium with olfactory neurons for detecting odorants. The underlying lamina propria contains purely serous glands, called Bowman’s glands or olfactory glands, along with blood vessels and nerves. Like respiratory mucosa, olfactory mucosa lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina; it is mostly supported by bone.

Olfactory mucosa lines the upper portions of the nasal cavity. Both the epithelium and lamina propria are much thicker than in respiratory mucosa. The epithelium consists of the highly specialized pseudostratified olfactory epithelium with olfactory neurons for detecting odorants. The underlying lamina propria contains purely serous glands, called Bowman’s glands or olfactory glands, along with blood vessels and nerves. Like respiratory mucosa, olfactory mucosa lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina; it is mostly supported by bone.

Olfactory mucosa lines the upper portions of the nasal cavity. Both the epithelium and lamina propria are much thicker than in respiratory mucosa. The epithelium consists of the highly specialized pseudostratified olfactory epithelium with olfactory neurons for detecting odorants. The underlying lamina propria contains purely serous glands, called Bowman’s glands or olfactory glands, along with blood vessels and nerves. Like respiratory mucosa, olfactory mucosa lacks a smooth muscle layer and an elastic lamina; it is mostly supported by bone.

The left and right images were taken of a slide in the University of Colorado collection.