What is the mucociliary escalator?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an explanation of the mucociliary escalator, which is a physiological mechanism in the respiratory system that helps clear mucus and debris from the airways. This involves the movement of cilia and the production of mucus to trap and transport particles out of the lungs.
Answer
It is a mechanism in the respiratory tract where mucus captures particles and cilia transport this mucus out of the lungs.
The mucociliary escalator is a mechanism in the respiratory tract where mucus captures particles and cilia transport this mucus out of the lungs.
Answer for screen readers
The mucociliary escalator is a mechanism in the respiratory tract where mucus captures particles and cilia transport this mucus out of the lungs.
More Information
This system involves the coordinated action of mucus, produced by goblet cells, and cilia to trap and clear inhaled particles and pathogens from the respiratory tract.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the role of mucus and cilia. Mucus traps the particles, while cilia move the mucus upwards towards the throat.
Sources
- Mucociliary Clearance - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics - sciencedirect.com
- Mucociliary escalator | anatomy - Britannica - britannica.com
- Mucociliary clearance - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
