Mucociliary Transport Defence System

Question 1

What are the (3) components of the mucociliary transport system (defence)?

Answer 1

• Cilia
• Aqueous (sol) layer
• Viscous (gel) layer

Question 2

What is the role of cilia in the mucociliary transport system (defence)?

Answer 2

• Tips of cilia hook into the gel layer to sweep it towards laryngopharynx
• Cilia beat in a coordinated fashion at 20 cycles per second, which can propel mucus at a rate of 2cm/min

Question 3

What is the role of aqueous (sol) layer in the mucociliary transport system (defence)?

Answer 3

• Serous fluid which bathes the cilia
• Ciliary movement is impaired with increased and decreased levels of fluid

Question 4

What is the role of the viscous (gel) layer in the mucociliary transport system (defence)?

Answer 4

• Made of mucous secreted from goblet cells
• Goblet cells produce 10-100ml mucus per day
• Foreign particles, cellular debris and microbes become trapped

Question 5

What does the mucociliary escalator primarily function to do?

Answer 5

Move mucus + trapped particles out of the airways