Histology of mucous membrane of human inferior nasal concha

Abstract

AbstractThe light microscopic features of the mucous membrane of intact inferior nasal concha are described. A proposal is made to standardize the terminology of tissue deep to the basement membrane as superficial or deep tunica propria. The range of epithelia found and the distribution of the various cell types and fibers present in the conchae are described. The variability of the tissue is stressed, both at gross and cellular levels. Mast cells are stained by using an Alcian blue and safranin technique in which the critical electrolyte concentration is adjusted to 0.3M MgCl2 This demonstrates two sub‐types of mast cell. One is a relatively small, pale staining, spindle‐shaped, superficially located cell, containing turquoise granules, while the other is generally more deeply located, larger, round or ovoid, containing granules of dark purplish‐red. The variability of mast cell distribution shown in this study emphasizes the need for large tissue samples in any estimation of mast cell numbers.