The mucociliary activity of the upper respiratory tract.
A clinical in vivo - in vitro method for functional mucociliary studies via surface-light reflections is described as well as a method for intracellular recording of electrical activities in ciliated cells. Two types of surface-light reflections can be recognized - one from the secretion layer and one from the tops of lashing cilia. Internal and external cell activities als well as muco-rheological factors can be compared under the control of environmental influences such as air temperature, humidity and gas mixtures. The method can also be used for different clinical purposes.
D000818:Animals; D002923:Cilia / Q000502:physiology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D011817:Rabbits; D012212:Rheology; D013696:Temperature; D014132:Trachea / Q000502:physiology*