Biomaterial Database

Mucus viscoelasticity and mucociliary transport rate. 1978

T M Chen, and M J Dulfano

The aim of this research was to define in quantitative terms the relationship between the viscoelastic properties of mucus and the velocity at which it can be transported by a ciliated mucosa. To this effect, tests were performed on frog palates with normal beating cilia which were washed free of endogenous mucus. Experimental sputum samples encompassing a wide range of viscoelastic properties were applied to the palates, and their transport velocity was measured under a dissecting microscope. The results indicated that the fastest transport, per palate, was achieved by sputa whose Newtonian viscosity and linear elastic modulus fell within the range of 1,000 to 3,000 poises and 10 to 25 dynes/cm2, respectively. The transport velocity decreased when the sputum viscoelasticity was above or below this optimal range. The latter condition is of particular importance since it indicates that marked fluidification may hinder rather than promote mucus clearance.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009092	Mucous Membrane	An EPITHELIUM with MUCUS-secreting cells, such as GOBLET CELLS. It forms the lining of many body cavities, such as the DIGESTIVE TRACT, the RESPIRATORY TRACT, and the reproductive tract. Mucosa, rich in blood and lymph vessels, comprises an inner epithelium, a middle layer (lamina propria) of loose CONNECTIVE TISSUE, and an outer layer (muscularis mucosae) of SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS that separates the mucosa from submucosa.	Lamina Propria,Mucosa,Mucosal Tissue,Muscularis Mucosae,Mucous Membranes,Membrane, Mucous,Membranes, Mucous,Mucosae, Muscularis,Mucosal Tissues,Propria, Lamina,Tissue, Mucosal,Tissues, Mucosal
D009093	Mucus	The viscous secretion of mucous membranes. It contains mucin, white blood cells, water, inorganic salts, and exfoliated cells.
D010159	Palate	The structure that forms the roof of the mouth. It consists of the anterior hard palate (PALATE, HARD) and the posterior soft palate (PALATE, SOFT).	Incisive Papilla,Incisive Papillas,Palates,Papilla, Incisive,Papillas, Incisive
D011892	Rana catesbeiana	A species of the family Ranidae (true frogs). The only anuran properly referred to by the common name "bullfrog", it is the largest native anuran in North America.	Bullfrog,Bullfrogs,Rana catesbeianas,catesbeiana, Rana
D002923	Cilia	Populations of thin, motile processes found covering the surface of ciliates (CILIOPHORA) or the free surface of the cells making up ciliated EPITHELIUM. Each cilium arises from a basic granule in the superficial layer of CYTOPLASM. The movement of cilia propels ciliates through the liquid in which they live. The movement of cilia on a ciliated epithelium serves to propel a surface layer of mucus or fluid. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Motile Cilia,Motile Cilium,Nodal Cilia,Nodal Cilium,Primary Cilia,Primary Cilium,Cilium,Cilia, Motile,Cilia, Nodal,Cilia, Primary,Cilium, Motile,Cilium, Nodal,Cilium, Primary
D004548	Elasticity	Resistance and recovery from distortion of shape.
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001001	Anura	An order of the class Amphibia, which includes several families of frogs and toads. They are characterized by well developed hind limbs adapted for jumping, fused head and trunk and webbed toes. The term "toad" is ambiguous and is properly applied only to the family Bufonidae.	Bombina,Frogs and Toads,Salientia,Toad, Fire-Bellied,Toads and Frogs,Anuras,Fire-Bellied Toad,Fire-Bellied Toads,Salientias,Toad, Fire Bellied,Toads, Fire-Bellied
D001692	Biological Transport	The movement of materials (including biochemical substances and drugs) through a biological system at the cellular level. The transport can be across cell membranes and epithelial layers. It also can occur within intracellular compartments and extracellular compartments.	Transport, Biological,Biologic Transport,Transport, Biologic