Biomaterial Database

Mucus transport by cough. 1981

P W Scherer

Experiments are described in which a cough is simulated by blowing Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids out of a straight tube by a turbulent gas flow. Analysis of these experiments indicates that during the flow a steady state balance exists between the shear force exerted on the flowing liquid layer by the flowing gas and the shear force required to maintain the liquid layer in steady laminar flow along the tube wall. By using this steady state shear force balance, quantitative estimates are obtained for the serous layer velocities induced by a cough in various generations of the bronchial tree. These are compared to normal ciliary mucus velocities and are seen to be significant down to about the 12th generation for a cough in a healthy individual. The magnitude of cough-induced serous layer velocities is seen to be strongly dependent on the serous layer thickness, ls, and viscosity, mu s, and increase linearly with ls over mu s.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009093	Mucus	The viscous secretion of mucous membranes. It contains mucin, white blood cells, water, inorganic salts, and exfoliated cells.
D001980	Bronchi	The larger air passages of the lungs arising from the terminal bifurcation of the TRACHEA. They include the largest two primary bronchi which branch out into secondary bronchi, and tertiary bronchi which extend into BRONCHIOLES and PULMONARY ALVEOLI.	Primary Bronchi,Primary Bronchus,Secondary Bronchi,Secondary Bronchus,Tertiary Bronchi,Tertiary Bronchus,Bronchi, Primary,Bronchi, Secondary,Bronchi, Tertiary,Bronchus,Bronchus, Primary,Bronchus, Secondary,Bronchus, Tertiary
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
D003371	Cough	A sudden, audible expulsion of air from the lungs through a partially closed glottis, preceded by inhalation. It is a protective response that serves to clear the trachea, bronchi, and/or lungs of irritants and secretions, or to prevent aspiration of foreign materials into the lungs.	Coughs
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001703	Biophysics	The study of PHYSICAL PHENOMENA and PHYSICAL PROCESSES as applied to living things.	Mechanobiology
D014783	Viscosity	The resistance that a gaseous or liquid system offers to flow when it is subjected to shear stress. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Viscosities
D055592	Biophysical Phenomena	The physical characteristics and processes of biological systems.	Biophysical Concepts,Biophysical Processes,Biophysical Phenomenon,Biophysical Process,Biophysical Concept,Concept, Biophysical,Concepts, Biophysical,Phenomena, Biophysical,Phenomenon, Biophysical,Process, Biophysical,Processes, Biophysical