Mucociliary clearance in health and disease
Mucociliary escalator
Even healthy airways are constantly producing and clearing secretions in order to protect the lower respiratory tract from infection. The mucociliary escalator normally clears up to 100mls of mucous a day in healthy individuals by moving the mucous mouth wards by the regular and co-ordinated beating of the cilia. Once the secretions reach the throat they are swallowed and digested, or if excessive in volume coughed and expectorated.
The finely co-ordinated action of the mucociliary escalator is compromised in several disease states such as dehydration, smoking, anaesthesia, age and infection.
Essentials of a functioning mucociliary transport system:
