Olfactory and non-olfactory epithelia in the nasal cavity of the mouse, Peromyscus.

Abstract

AbstractThe nasal cavities of 14 deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus, were examined histologically to determine the variability in surface area of the olfactory epithelium and its correlation with nasal cavity volume, area of non‐olfactory epithelial surface, and body size.Forty‐four per cent of the nasal cavity surface of P. maniculatus is covered by a non‐olfactory epithelium with an area of 129.8 mm2; the epithelial surface consists of gradations in type from keratinized stratified squamous rostrally to ciliated pseudostratified columnar caudally. An extensive portion of this epithelium is non‐ciliated and devoid of goblet cells. Situated dorsocaudal to the non‐olfactory epithelium is the olfactory epithelial surface measuring 166.8 mm2 in area.The areas of total, non‐olfactory and olfactory epithelial surfaces are highly variable in a sample of mice containing two subspecies, both sexes and various ages. Surface area measurements of non‐olfactory and olfactory epithelia are correlated significantly with body length, body weight and volume of the nasal cavity. A relatively constant epithelial area to volume ratio is present in the nasal cavity of P. maniculatus. It is surmised that a stable ratio of molecules in the air to epithelial area may occur within a species.