Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE) Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide for Exam Success

Goblet cells are specialized epithelial cells primarily found in the respiratory and intestinal tracts, and they play a crucial role in the production and secretion of mucus. In the respiratory system, mucus is essential for trapping inhaled particles, pathogens, and other foreign materials, thereby helping to keep the airways clear and facilitating the movement of cilia to expel mucus from the respiratory tract.

Goblet cells secrete mucins, which are glycoproteins that give mucus its viscous properties. This function is particularly important in the respiratory system, where mucus serves as a barrier and protective mechanism for the underlying epithelial tissues. Their presence is especially prominent in the airway epithelium, such as in the trachea and bronchial tree.

While Clara cells, also known as club cells, contribute to the secretion of surfactant and play a role in detoxifying harmful substances in the lungs, they are not the primary producers of mucus. Pneumocytes type I and type II relate to the surface area of the alveoli and surfactant production, respectively, but they do not produce mucus. Thus, goblet cells are the key players in mucus production within the respiratory system.