Identification of neuro-epithelial bodies in rabbit fetal lungs by scanning electron microscopy: a correlative light, transmission and scanning electron microscopic study.

In the present study, neuro-epithelial bodies (NEB) were identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) within the bronchial epithelium of near-term rabbit fetuses. The surface features and topography of NEB were correlated by light and transmission electron microscopy. In SEM, the surfaces of NEB were easily visualized in smaller peripheral airways because of paucity of ciliated cells in these regions. The NEB formed crater-like pits, which were lined with microvilli and had smooth-surfaced nonciliated cells around the rim. Stereo-pair photographs revealed that the latter cells protruded above adjacent bronchiolar mucosa. The SEM also revealed that NEB were preferentially located near or at bronchiolar bifurcations. This is the first report of the three-dimensional structure of pulmonary NEB. Their direct contact with the airway lumen, as well as their strategic location in bronchiolar mucosa, support the suggestion that they are intrapulmonary receptors and help to regulate air-flow in peripheral airways.