Anatomy & Histology · single question
A patient with a history of COPD has lung tissue metaplasia. What is the type of epithelium that develops in COPD lung tissue?
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Correct answer: D. Stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium
- A. Pseudostratified columnar epithelium with cilia is the NORMAL respiratory epithelium — COPD changes this.
- B. Stratified columnar epithelium is the NORMAL lining of some lung regions — the question asks about the CHANGED epithelium in COPD.
- C. Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium is found in skin — not in COPD lung metaplasia.
- D. Correct. In COPD, the normal pseudostratified columnar respiratory epithelium undergoes squamous metaplasia, transforming into stratified squamous NON-keratinized epithelium. This is a pathological change in response to chronic irritation (smoking). Note: The answer is non-keratinized — most boards require distinguishing this from the keratinized form.
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