MCT extra

• Mucociliary Transport System components:

  • Ciliated epithelial cells
  • Aqueous or sol layer
  • Gel or sputum layer

  
• Mucociliary Transport System components:

  A) ciliated epithelial cells

  B) aqueous layer

  C) gel layer

  
• How will pathologies which result in increased sputum production affect ciliary function?

  • it makes ciliary movement harder as cilia dont move into thin layer of mucus, but move into thick layer of mucus, impairing ciliary movement
  • consequence of impairing ciliary movement is that you then have mucus being retained in the lungs which is a breeding ground for microbes, leading to chest infections
• Can physiotherapists help patients with retained secretions?

  • airway clearance techniques can help patients get rid of excess mucus