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HISTOLOGY of the TRACHEA---shows the PSEUDOSTRATIFIED CILIATED COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM (at the surface) and extensive supporting HYALINE CARTILAGE below, 100X. The ciliated epithelium also has numerous mucus-secreting GOBLET CELLS. This epithelium shows numerous nuclei of cells. All of the cells touch the basement membrane. This epithelium looks like it is stratified but is not, hence the prefix pseudo. The hyaline cartilage is extensive and shows CHONDROCYTES (CARTILAGE CELLS), MATRIX (homogeneous intercellular material) and LACUNAE (spaces in the matrix that the cartilage cells reside in). There are numerous C-shaped cartilagenous rings in the trachea that prevent collapse--they are composed of hyaline cartilage.