Upper respiratory syndrome: mechanisms of clearing.
The filter mechanism in the upper respiratory tract presupposes an intact ciliary epithelium and normal secretion from the goblet cells and tubular glands. The interaction of ciliary motion and the production of biochemically normal secretion leads to unimpeded mucociliary clearance. This is supported by immunological and cellular defence factors and can be promoted or inhibited by certain drugs.
D002923:Cilia / Q000502:physiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000378:metabolism