Mucociliary Escalator

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Term: Mucociliary EscalatorDefinition: A defense mechanism in the respiratory tract that uses mucus and cilia to trap and remove inhaled particles and pathogens.Phonetic Pronunciation: (myoo-koh-SIL-ee-air-ee ES-kah-lay-tor)Origin: The term "mucociliary" combines "muco-" from Latin "mucus" meaning "slime" or "mucus," and "ciliary" from Latin "cilium" meaning "eyelash," referring to the hair-like structures. "Escalator" is derived from the Latin "scala," meaning "ladder" or "staircase," reflecting the mechanism's action of moving particles upward.Significance in Asbestos Context: The mucociliary escalator is crucial in the context of asbestos exposure as it attempts to clear asbestos fibers from the lungs. However, asbestos fibers can sometimes overwhelm or damage this system, increasing the risk of asbestos-related diseases.Example Sentence: The effectiveness of the mucociliary escalator in removing asbestos fibers from the lungs can be compromised by heavy exposure, leading to increased health risks.Related Terms: Cilia, Mucus, Respiratory Tract, Asbestosis, Clearance MechanismNotes: - The mucociliary escalator is not always effective against asbestos fibers due to their size and shape. - Smoking can impair the function of the mucociliary escalator, further increasing the risk of asbestos-related diseases.