Which apical surface structure is characteristic of the respiratory epithelium?

Study for the CAMLPR Histology Practice Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The key idea is the apical surface specialization of the respiratory lining. The respiratory epithelium is typically a pseudostratified ciliated columnar type, and its defining apical feature is the presence of motile cilia on the luminal surface. These cilia beat in a coordinated way to move mucus, along with trapped particles, upward toward the pharynx for clearance. Goblet cells sit among the ciliated cells and secrete mucus, which helps trap debris, but the important apical projection is the cilium itself. Basal bodies reside at the base of the cilia, anchoring them, and microvilli are more typical of absorptive epithelia like the gut. Thus, the apical surface structure characteristic of the respiratory epithelium is respiratory cilia.