APPLIED RADIOLOGICAL ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane and move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose. Inhaled air is moistened, warmed, and cleansed by the tissue that lines the nasal cavity.

Detailed explanation-2: -The movement of cilia is similar to the way your arms move while swimming the breaststroke [3]. An individual cilium is not strong enough to move the mucus layer on its own, but when thousands of cilia beat together in a coordinated fashion, they can collectively cause the mucus to move [2, 3].

Detailed explanation-3: -Respiratory epithelium. The goblet cells secrete mucus, which forms a blanket over the tops of the ciliated cells. The regular, coordinated beating of the cilia sweeps the mucus up and out of the airways, carrying any debris that is stuck to it.

Detailed explanation-4: -Ciliated epithelium: During the forward stroke, the tips of the cilia contact the gel layer, thus propelling it downstream, towards the mouth. This movement of mucus moves at approximately 1mm per minute in peripheral airways, clearing the healthy lung in less than 24 hours.

Detailed explanation-5: -Ciliated cells are adapted in the respiratory tract to form an epithelial lining of coordinated metachronal ciliary activity that provides the propelling force for the transport of mucus along the airways. This mechanism is central to the maintenance of patent airways and pulmonary homeostasis.