Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Veterinary Medicine Sciences

Abstract Camels possess remarkable physiological and anatomical adaptations that support survival in harsh desert environments. This study aimed to examine the microscopic architecture of the trachea and lungs in healthy adult one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq. Five camels of both sexes, aged 3–7 years, were examined post-slaughter. Tracheal and lung tissues were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, processed through standard histological methods, sectioned at 6 µm, and stained with hematoxylin–eosin and Masson’s trichrome. Microscopic observations revealed that the tracheal wall comprised mucosa, submucosa, cartilage, and adventitia. The mucosal epithelium consisted of tall pseudostratified ciliated columnar cells with interspersed goblet cells, forming a mucociliary defense system. The lamina propria displayed loose connective tissue with abundant elastic fibers and blood vessels, while the submucosa contained sparse tubuloacinar mucus glands. The hyaline cartilage rings were encased in a well-defined perichondrium, and smooth tracheal muscle occupied the open ends of the rings. The lung parenchyma exhibited alveolar ducts lined by simple squamous epithelium, with alveoli containing type I and type II pneumocytes. Type I cells appeared thin and elongated, while type II cells were rounded and responsible for surfactant production. Statistical comparison with similar histological studies of ruminants showed structural similarities, indicating evolutionary conservation of respiratory tissue design (scoring index: tracheal epithelial height 9.5±0.3 µm; alveolar wall thickness 2.1±0.2 µm, p<0.05). These findings highlight camel respiratory specialization for efficient gas exchange and dust resistance under desert conditions.