The collections of blue inflammatory cells are mostly lymphocytes and plasma cells. The thick, pink line below the epithelium represents collagenization by types 3 and 5 collagen under the basement membrane. The thickening is a result of chronic inflammation. It is not a thickening of the basement membrane itself. The subepithelial tissue is thickened by an intense inflammatory infiltrate, smooth muscle hyperplasia, and mucous gland hyperplasia.
Cartilage lies at the lower right.