SUPPLEMENTARY:

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Increased numbers of goblet cells (MP)

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In some diseases of the lungs, the number of goblet cells increases. In the lungs of smokers, goblet cells multiply in order to improve the clearance of increased levels of noxious gases such as CO, SO₂. The consequent reduction in the number of ciliated cells results in decreased movement of the mucus carpet and congestion of the airway.
This section shows such an increase in goblet cells. The epithelium seems to consist almost entirely of purple staining goblet cells. Note also the greatly increased thickness of the pale pink staining basement membrane.

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