Fahim Haider Jafari, Liaqat Ali Minhas.
A light microscope study of sustentacular cells of human olfactory epithelium.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;1(1):19-23.

Background: The sustentacular cells of human olfactory epithelium have been previously studied in different parts of the world. However, most studies have been limited to a very few number of cases and quantitative analysis of these cells have not been done. Objectives: This study was undertaken to observe the morphology and quantitative analysis of sustentacular cells of human olfactory epithelium in a Pakistani population. Setting: Department of Forensic Medicine, KE Medical College, Lahore and Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi. Materials and Methods: En bloc specimens were obtained from 20 male autopsy cases. After decalcification, they were processed, stained with H & E and seen under light microscope. Olfactory epithelium was observed in the area of roof, medial and lateral walls of both nasal cavities. Results: The tall and cylindrical sustentacular cells were observed between the olfactory cells. Their nuclei were large, vertically elongated and lightly stained. They were present superficial to the zone of nuclei of olfactory cells. Projections were seen on the apical surface of these cells. The number of sustentacular cells was counted in the roof, medial and lateral walls of right and left nasal cavities. The difference in the number of cells between different regions of nasal cavities was statistically insignificant. This study represents the first comprehensive light microscopic examination of the sustentacular cells of human olfactory epithelium in Pakistani population. Images obtained for olfactory epithelium allowed us to examine the sustentacular cells in close association with the olfactory receptors. Quantitative analysis was also conducted and comparison was established among different regions of the nasal cavities. Further studies that will examine the detailed morphology of the human olfactor y epithelium should provide a better understanding of the physiological mechanism and clinical disorders that affect olfactory function in humans.

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