mucocilliary escalator

(noun)

The ladder formed by mucus and cilia in the trachea that pushes mucus up the trachea and into the pharynx to prevent mucus pathogens from entering the lungs.

Related Terms

Examples of mucocilliary escalator in the following topics:

  • Skin and Mucosae (Surface Barriers)

    • While the skin simply prevents pathogen entry, more specialized structures like the mucocilliary escalator in the trachea work by trapping pathogens in mucus secretions, and use cilia to push them out of the trachea to prevent entry into the lungs.
    • Smoking and alcoholism damages the mucilliary escalator and makes it easier for pathogens to invade the lungs.

  • Trachea

    • This mucus and cilia of the trachea form the mucociliary escalator, which lines the cells of the trachea with mucus to trap inhaled foreign particles.
    • The mucociliary escalator is one of the most important functions of the trachea and is also considered a barrier component of the immune system due its role in preventing pathogens from entering the lungs.

  • Bronchi and Subdivisions

    • The bronchi and bronchioles are also part of the mucociliary escalator that removes mucus and pathogens from the lungs.