The lung lesion described as nodules of connective tissue intersected by epithelial clefts lined with ciliated or non-ciliated columnar epithelium is called?

• A. Granuloma
• B. Adenocarcinoma
• C. Hamartoma
• D. Fibroma

Answer: (C)

Pulmonary hamartoma is a benign lesion made up of disorganized but mature lung elements. Histology often shows nodules of connective tissue interwoven with clefts or spaces lined by respiratory-type epithelium that can be ciliated or non-ciliated columnar cells. This combination—stroma with epithelial clefts representing entrapped bronchial lining—is characteristic of hamartoma, reflecting normal lung components arranged aberrantly rather than a malignant glandular process. In contrast, a granuloma would show granulomatous inflammation, adenocarcinoma would form malignant glands with cytologic atypia, and a fibroma would be largely fibrous tissue without bronchiolar-type epithelial clefts.