Mucociliaris

Mucociliaris, often referred to as the mucociliary apparatus, is the mucociliary clearance system of the respiratory tract. It comprises the ciliated, mucus-secreting epithelium lining the conducting airways, with goblet cells and submucosal glands that produce mucus. The airway surface liquid consists of a periciliary sol layer and an overlying mucus gel, with mucins such as MUC5AC and MUC5B contributing to mucus properties.

Cilia on the airway epithelium beat in a coordinated manner to transport the mucus layer toward the pharynx, forming the mucociliary escalator. Effective clearance depends on proper hydration and ionic balance to maintain an optimal mucus viscosity and a functional periciliary layer, conditions partly regulated by chloride transport mechanisms. The system extends from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses through the trachea and bronchi, providing a first-line defense against inhaled particles, pathogens, and debris.

Impairment of mucociliary clearance can predispose individuals to recurrent infections and chronic respiratory disease. Causes include smoking, air pollution, dehydration, viral or bacterial infections, and conditions that alter mucus properties or ciliary function. Genetic disorders such as primary ciliary dyskinesia and cystic fibrosis disrupt ciliary movement or mucus rheology, respectively. Assessment of mucociliary function and interventions to optimize hydration, mucus viscosity, and ciliary activity are central to management in affected patients.