Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of normal chicken tracheal epithelia.

The ultrastructure of normal chicken tracheal epithelia was studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy revealed only two cell types on the surface of the tracheal epithelium; ciliated and nonciliated with microvilli. Three cell types were observed with the transmission electron microscope: ciliated, goblet, and basal cells. The ciliated cells were the most numerous.