Mucociliary clearance in health and disease

Increased age

As we age, ciliary beat frequency has been found to slow. This results in a longer time to clear secretions from the airways. Other age related changes that occur to the cilia include changes in the ultra-structural make up and arrangement of microtubules. Ciliary function declines over the age of 40 and, combined with the other effects of aging on the respiratory system such as reduced lung volumes, and increased closing volumes of the small airways may explain why so many elderly patients present with lower respiratory tract infections.

Summary:

  • Slower ciliary beat frequency
  • Structural changes to cilia
  • Combine with other age related changes of respiratory system
old man