Olfactory mucosa in the nose (dog)

Stain: Iron Hematoxylin and eosin (Heidenhain). The pseudostratified epithelium of the olfactory mucosa contains sensory cells, support cells and basal cells. The upper darker stained nuclei (1) belong to the supporting (sustentacular) cells showing a dark apical line (↑) at the top. Below lighter stained nuclei (2) of the olfactory cells. The ultimate lower row (3) of basal cells have slightly darker stained nuclei. In the lamina propria branched tubuloalveolar serous glands (4, olfactory glands of Bowman) are located which release secrete to dissolve and remove odoriferous substances. Note thin intra-epithelial draining ducts (5, darkly stained).