The present study was carried on trachea of 06 healthy poultry of Poonch region. Trachea was
composed of tunica mucosa, submucosa, cartilage rings and adventitia. Mucosa comprised of
pseudo-stratified ciliated columnar epithelium with two cell types. Columnar cells had oval to
elongated nuclei while the basal cells had smaller, rounder nuclei. Intra-epithelial alveolar
mucous glands were observed. Apical region of glands had foamy cytoplasm. Lamina propria
merged with submucosa and consisted of collagen, elastic and reticular fibers with abundant
lymphocytes. Tracheal rings made up of hyaline cartilage consisted of two parts, a much thicker
inner cartilage ring and outer thin ring. The glassy ground substance had lacunae containing
single chondrocyte and few isogenous groups. Loose connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves
were reported in tunica adventitia. Striated muscles were connected to the trachea containing
blood vessels and nerve plexus. Histochemically, mucous glands exhibited a strong reaction for
PAS-AB. Perichondrium covering the cartilage ring was moderately to strongly positive for basic
proteins whereas the striated muscle fibers associated with trachea displayed moderate reaction.
A strong reaction for glycogen was seen in the extra-cellular matrix surrounding the lacunae
containing chondrocytes. Epithelium and mucous glands were moderately positive for lipids,
lamina propria was weak and tunica adventitia was strongly reactive for lipids.