The role of mucus in transport by cilia
J Sade, N Eliezer, A Silberberg… - American Review of …, 1970 - atsjournals.org
J Sade, N Eliezer, A Silberberg, AC Nevo
American Review of Respiratory Disease, 1970•atsjournals.orgThe mucociliary system of respiratory epithelium performs as a major defense mechanism
by clearing foreign bodies from the surface of air-exposed cavities. This action is brought
about by ciliary beat, which is translated into effective clearance only in the presence of
mucus. It was shown that the role of mucus in this system is highly specific. In the absence of
enough mucus, the system fails and the addition of mucus, and apparently only mucus, from
the outside restores normal clearing function. It is implied that in pathologic situations where …
by clearing foreign bodies from the surface of air-exposed cavities. This action is brought
about by ciliary beat, which is translated into effective clearance only in the presence of
mucus. It was shown that the role of mucus in this system is highly specific. In the absence of
enough mucus, the system fails and the addition of mucus, and apparently only mucus, from
the outside restores normal clearing function. It is implied that in pathologic situations where …
The mucociliary system of respiratory epithelium performs as a major defense mechanism by clearing foreign bodies from the surface of air-exposed cavities. This action is brought about by ciliary beat, which is translated into effective clearance only in the presence of mucus. It was shown that the role of mucus in this system is highly specific. In the absence of enough mucus, the system fails and the addition of mucus, and apparently only mucus, from the outside restores normal clearing function. It is implied that in pathologic situations where clearance of excess mucus fails, the reason might be an alteration of the specific properties of mucus responsible for coupling with cilia.
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