Mucociliary clearance

Mucociliary clearance , also called mucociliary cleaning , mucociliary transport , mucociliary apparatus or mucociliary clearance ( MCC ), derived from mucus (Latin mucus ), cilia (ciliated cell of the surface epithelium in the respiratory tract ) and clearance (English cleaning), describes the self-cleaning mechanism of the Bronchi .

The main bronchi up to the terminal bronchioles (end of the air-conducting section) are lined with a respiratory epithelium , as are the trachea , larynx , nose and large sections of the pharynx . On it there are ciliated cells that have hair-like structures ( cilia ) on their surface . The cilia are surrounded by a thin layer of mucus. On top of this is a second thick layer of mucus in which foreign particles and microorganisms, partly also immobilized by the immunoglobulin A in the mucous layer , adhere. Within the thin layer of mucus, the cilia carry out coordinated movements at a frequency of 15 to 25 per second in the direction of the pharynx. As a result, the thick layer of mucus along with its cargo is transported towards the mouth at a speed of 1 millimeter to 2 centimeters per minute, where it is swallowed or coughed up.

The number of cilia, their structure, activity and coordinated movement are important for good mucociliary cleaning. An optimal function of the cleaning assumes a temperature of 37 ° C and an absolute humidity of 44 mg / l corresponding to a relative humidity of 100%. If there is insufficient heat and moisture, the ciliated cells stop their transport function after a short time. The mucociliary transport is also disturbed by poisonous gases (e.g. sulfur dioxide), tobacco smoke and inflammation. A bacterial colonization is facilitated under these conditions. Infections of the lungs and damage to the lung tissue can result.

High humidity improves the function of mucociliary cleansing. Two methods to support cleaning are active and passive respiratory gas humidification , which are used in particular for mechanical ventilation .

See also

• Cystic fibrosis

literature

• Peter Lotz: Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory Tract. In: J. Kilian, H. Benzer, FW Ahnefeld (ed.): Basic principles of ventilation. Springer, Berlin a. a. 1991, ISBN 3-540-53078-9 , pp. 3-45; here: p. 8 f.
• W. Oczenski, H. Andel and A. Werba: Breathing - breathing aids. Thieme, Stuttgart 2003. ISBN 3-13-137696-1
• J. Rathgeber: Fundamentals of mechanical ventilation. Aktiv Druck, Ebelsbach 1999. ISBN 3-932653-02-5
• S. Schäfer, F. Kirsch, G. Scheuermann and R. Wagner: Specialist care ventilation. Elsevier, Munich 2005. ISBN 3-437-25182-1

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !