The transformation of the normal ciliated columnar epithelium of the respiratory tract to stratified squamous epithelium in response to the stress of chronic exposure to tobacco smoke is an example of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The transformation of normal ciliated columnar epithelium to stratified squamous epithelium in response to chronic exposure to tobacco smoke is an example of metaplasia, which is the reversible change of one mature cell type to another mature cell type in response to stress or injury. Anaplasia refers to the loss of differentiation and organization of cells, neoplasia refers to the abnormal growth and division of cells forming a tumor, and desmoplasia refers to the growth of fibrous or connective tissue in response to a tumor.

The Transformation of the Normal Ciliated Columnar Epithelium of the Respiratory