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Respiratory Epithelium - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 13:20, 14 August 2008
, 13:20, 14 August 2008→Function
==Function==
==Function==
===Air Modification===
Upon entry to the respiratory system, air is modified to protect the system:
*Particles trapped and removed by the Mucociliary Escalator.
*Air is humidified by the evaporation from mucus and secretions from the epithelium.
*Air ia warmed due to the close proximity to the capillary network underlying the respiratory epithelium.
===Mucociliary escalator===
The many cilia present on the surface of the cells of respiratory epithelium, along with the mucus producing goblet cells, are the functional units for the Mucociliary escalator:
The many cilia present on the surface of the cells of respiratory epithelium, along with the mucus producing goblet cells, are the functional units for the Mucociliary escalator:
*Cilia on the respiratory epithelium beat in a co-ordinated manner
*Cilia on the respiratory epithelium beat in a co-ordinated manner
**Cilia beat in a cranial direction in trachea and lower airways
**Cilia beat in a cranial direction in trachea and lower airways
**Mucus is swallowed when it reaches the nasopharynx
**Mucus is swallowed when it reaches the nasopharynx
**Constant movement reduces chances that pathogens can adhere to the respiratory epithelium
**Constant movement reduces chances that pathogens can adhere to the respiratory epithelium.