Question

Name any one part where ciliated epithelium is found in humans? What is its function?

Answer 1

Epithelium is a layer of cells arranged very close to each other that form a continuous sheet-like structure covering the organs and protecting them from the external environment. Ciliated epithelium consists of hair like appendages.

Complete answer:

Epithelium is one of the basic tissues found in animals which covers the outer surfaces of organs, blood vessels and also the inner surfaces of the body cavities. Epithelial cells are of three shapes: columnar, squamous, irregular, ciliated and cuboidal. These cells makeup the epithelial layer as in the epidermis of our skin. This layer is not supplied by blood and it gets its nourishment by the process of diffusion.
Ciliated epithelium is mostly found lining the cavities of organs. These hair-like extensions which are small, slender, finger-like and capable of beating rapidly leading to the movement of substances through the cavities. This type of epithelium is found in the internal surface of trachea where it sweeps off the mucus and dust to bronchi by the motion that is produced by its beating. From the bronchi it gets into the pharynx and is being swallowed from there.

Additional information:
- Ciliated epithelium is found in the internal cavities, bronchioles, oviducts and nasal cavity.
- Ciliated epithelium mostly consist of columnar cells or simple columnar epithelial cells which have cilia on their top.
- The infundibulum and ampulla region of the oviducts are densely populated by ciliated epithelial cells. -These cilia help to take the ovum away from the ovary to the uterus.
- Respiratory tree starting from the nasal cavity to the bronchi is covered with pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium.

Note: Ciliated epithelial cells consist of goblet cells that are responsible for the secretion of mucus. The mucus traps any foreign particle and then is moved out of the body with the help of movement provided by the beating movement of cilia.