[Basal and non-hair cells in the regenerated mucosa of the maxillary sinus]

In 10 albino New Zealand rabbits, a study was made of the regeneration of the hair cells in the maxillary sinus mucosa three months after removing the sinus mucosa. Using optical microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy, basal and non-hair cells were studied as the probable origin of hair cells. The regenerated sinus mucosa showed areas of epithelium consisting only of a basement membrane and a layer of basal cells. Ultrastructurally, two types of basal cell were visible in the regenerated mucosa. The proportion of non-hair cells was greater than in normal mucosa.