Respiratory mucosa

Respiratory mucosa is the mucus-secreting lining of much of the respiratory tract. It traps inhaled particles and helps warm and humidify incoming air.

Mucociliary clearance: The coordinated movement of mucus and cilia that carries trapped material toward the throat for removal. It is the main transport process that removes particles trapped by respiratory mucus.
Respiratory epithelium: The specialized epithelial tissue lining much of the conducting respiratory tract. Respiratory mucosa includes this epithelium together with its underlying supporting tissue.
Allergic rhinitis: Inflammation of the nasal mucosa caused by an IgE-mediated response to airborne allergens. Allergen exposure makes the nasal mucosa produce symptoms such as sneezing and excess secretion.
Olfactory epithelium: Specialized nasal epithelium containing sensory neurons that detect odor molecules. It occupies a small region of the nasal cavity but serves smell rather than routine air conditioning.
Cilia: Fine, motile cell projections that move fluid or material across epithelial surfaces. Their coordinated beating propels the mucus layer along much of the airway.
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium: An epithelial arrangement in which all cells contact the basement membrane but nuclei lie at different heights. This is the characteristic epithelial arrangement in much of the conducting airway.
Chronic rhinosinusitis: Persistent inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus lining, usually lasting at least 12 weeks. Its disease process involves prolonged inflammation of contiguous respiratory mucosa.
Alveolar epithelium: A thin epithelial lining of lung alveoli, specialized for gas exchange. Unlike conducting respiratory mucosa, it is optimized for diffusion rather than mucus-based particle clearance.
Goblet cell: A mucus-secreting epithelial cell found in tissues including the respiratory and intestinal tracts. Goblet cells supply much of the airway mucus that traps inhaled particles.
Nasal cavity: The air-filled space inside the nose, lined largely by mucosa that conditions inhaled air. Its mucosa begins filtering, warming, and humidifying air before it reaches the lower tract.

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Mucous membraneBroader topic: Its mucus and cilia help filter and clear inhaled particles.