Cystic fibrosis

• Respiratory system:

  • Mucus too sticky and thick - cilia cant move it to back of throat
  • Mucus builds up in airways
  • Some airways become blocked
  • Gas exchange cant happen in area below blockage
  • Reduces surface area across alveoli available for gas exchange
  • High risk of lung infection, mucus contains microorganisms that cant be removed
• Digestive system:

  • Mucus is sticky
  • blocks pancreatic ducts
  • So reduces digestion
  • the mucus lining of small intestine becomes abnormally thick, reduces absorption of nutrients
  • blocks bile ducts
• Reproductive system:

  • Cervical mucus prevents sperm reaching egg
  • No sperm duct OR sperm duct is blocked, sperm cant leave testes