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Study of the nasopharynx in man by scanning electron microscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

M. Gulisano
Affiliation:
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Florence University.
G. Polli
Affiliation:
Institute of Otorhinolaryngology I.
G. Biondi
Affiliation:
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Florence University.
P. Pacini*
Affiliation:
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Florence University.
*
Prof. Paolo Pacini, Policlinico di Careggi, 50134 Firenze—Italia.

Abstract

To date only few and often disagreeing studies about human nasopharynx are available.

The present research has the purpose to give a contribution to the knowledge of nasopharyngeal epithelium using S.E.M The study was carried out on biopsies taken from 20 healthy volunteers.

The surface of nasopharynx is covered by ciliated cells, microvilli provided cells and goblet cells.

Areas covered with squamous epithelium and presumably transitional epithelium were observed.

The possibility that ciliated become microvilli provided cells is discussed.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1988

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