What cells line the trachea and their roles?

The trachea is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, a specialized tissue that performs cleaning and protection. Key cell types include:

• Ciliated cells – Move rhythmically to push mucus and trapped particles upward toward the throat (the mucociliary escalator).
• Goblet cells – Produce mucus that traps dust, microbes, and pollutants.
• Basal cells – Serve as stem cells to regenerate damaged tissue.
• Brush cells and neuroendocrine cells – Detect chemical changes and help regulate airway tone.

Together, these cells form a self-cleaning barrier. The cilia act like microscopic brooms, and the mucus acts like sticky flypaper. This coordinated movement ensures that harmful particles never reach the lungs.

In smokers or people exposed to pollutants, cilia can become paralyzed or lost, reducing airway defense and leading to chronic coughs or infections.
Thus, the tracheal lining is not just a simple passageway — it’s a dynamic defense system that keeps the respiratory tract clean and infection-free.