Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Mucociliary Epithelial Organoids from Xenopus Embryonic Cells: Generation, Culture and High-Resolution Live Imaging
07:44

Mucociliary Epithelial Organoids from Xenopus Embryonic Cells: Generation, Culture and High-Resolution Live Imaging

Published on: July 28, 2020

5.5K

[Early morphogenesis of ciliated cells in human oral cavity]

A I Kurtova, V P Chernikov, S V Savel'ev

    Ontogenez
    |December 3, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    Ciliated cells appear in the human oral cavity by the seventh week of prenatal development, primarily on the tongue and palate. Their precise function in early embryonic development remains undetermined and requires further investigation.

    Area of Science:

    • Developmental biology
    • Human embryology
    • Cell biology

    Context:

    • Ciliated cells are present in the human oral cavity epithelium from the seventh week of prenatal development.
    • Their distribution changes significantly from early development (weeks 7-13) to later stages (post-17 weeks).
    • The ultrastructure confirms these are motile cilia.

    Purpose:

    • To investigate the presence, ultrastructure, and potential associations of ciliated cells in the developing human oral cavity.
    • To characterize the temporal and spatial distribution of these cells during the first trimester.
    • To explore potential roles and neuronal connections of oral ciliated cells.

    Summary:

    • Ciliated cells are identified in the oral epithelium of human embryos and fetuses starting at 7 weeks.
    • Early distribution (until week 13) covers the dorsal tongue and soft palate; later, they are near gland ducts in specific papillae.
    • Immunohistochemistry reveals nerve endings associated with ciliated cells and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) positivity until week 14.
    • Their role in the first trimester oral cavity is currently unclear and warrants further research.

    Impact:

    • Provides foundational data on the early development and characteristics of oral ciliated cells in humans.
    • Highlights the presence of neuronal associations with these cells during early development.
    • Identifies a need for further research to elucidate the functional significance of oral ciliated cells in embryonic development.

    More Related Videos

    Establishing Human Lung Organoids and Proximal Differentiation to Generate Mature Airway Organoids10:12

    Establishing Human Lung Organoids and Proximal Differentiation to Generate Mature Airway Organoids

    Published on: March 23, 2022

    10.3K
    In vivo Evaluation of Mucociliary Clearance in Mice06:35

    In vivo Evaluation of Mucociliary Clearance in Mice

    Published on: December 18, 2020

    4.9K

    Related Concept Videos

    Mechanism of Ciliary Motion01:05

    Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

    The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
    The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...
    6.0K
    Oral Cavity01:11

    Oral Cavity

    The oral cavity, or the mouth, is a complex structure in humans that plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Its role is not only in chewing and swallowing food; it also plays a role in speech and facial expressions.
    Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
    4.1K
    Gastrulation01:56

    Gastrulation

    Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata...
    69.8K
    Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

    Development of the Oral Microbiota

    The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
    48
    Microtubules in Signaling01:22

    Microtubules in Signaling

    The primary cilium, made up of microtubules, acts as antennae on the cell surfaces for relaying external stimuli into the cells. These fine hair-like structures are present, generally one per cell. These are non-motile cilia in a 9+0 microtubules arrangement, where the central pair of microtubules are absent. The primary cilia arise from the basal body embedded in the cell membrane. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) carries requisite proteins from the cytoplasm to the cilium because the primary...
    2.3K
    Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Simple Epithelium01:30

    Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Simple Epithelium

    Simple epithelium consists of a single layer of cells that lines body cavities and blood vessels. The shape of the cells in the epithelium reflects the function of the tissue. Cells in simple squamous epithelium appear as thin scales with flat, elliptical nuclei that mirror the form of the cell.
    Because of the thinness of the cells, simple squamous epithelium is present where the rapid passage of chemical compounds is observed. For example, the endothelium that lines the capillaries and vessels...
    16.8K