Mucociliary clearance in health and disease
Infection / inflammation
The purpose of the mucous layer in the lungs is to trap dust, debris and infectious agents such as bacteria. As the mucous traps bacteria it may change colour from clear to yellow / green and become thicker in consistency. The goblet cells are stimulated to produce larger quantities of mucous in response to areas of infection or inflammation which combined with an increased viscosity of the secretions can easily overwhelm the mucociliary escalator, resulting in secretion retention.
Summary:
- Goblet cells produce more mucous in response to infection
- Change in colour of secretions
- Sputum may increase in viscosity in response to infection
