periciliaire

Periciliaire is a French adjective used in anatomy and cell biology to denote something pertaining to or located around a cilium (cilia). The term combines peri- meaning around with cili- from cilium. In practice, periciliaire describes the region surrounding a cilium, including adjacent spaces, membranes, or complexes. In English-language contexts, the equivalent term is periciliary, which is more commonly used in discussions of ciliary biology.

In ciliated epithelia such as the respiratory tract, the periciliaire region includes the periciliary liquid layer that bathes the cilia and the periciliary membrane complex at the apical cell surface. This region helps maintain the proper environment for ciliary beating by regulating hydration, ion composition, and the interaction between the cell surface and the overlying mucus.

Functions and relevance: Proper periciliaire organization supports efficient mucociliary transport and the structural integrity of ciliated cells. Alterations in periciliaire properties can impair mucus clearance and contribute to respiratory or sensory dysfunctions. The term is primarily used in French-language literature and in bilingual scientific works, where it serves to specify aspects located around the cilium.

Related terms include periciliary layer, periciliary space, and cilium.