A 6-year-old boy playing in a dusty field in windy weather inhales many small particles that become lodged in his terminal bronchioles. Which of the following respiratory components is most important in clearing these particles?

Question

A 6-year-old boy playing in a dusty field in windy weather inhales many small particles that become lodged in his terminal bronchioles.  Which of the following respiratory components is most important in clearing these particles?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Most inhaled particles that lodge in the bronchial tree are removed via proximal transport by ciliated epithelial cells (mucociliary clearance).  Mucus-secreting cells are present to the level of the larger bronchioles, after which club cells become the prominent secretory cell type.

A 6-Year-Old Boy Playing in a Dusty Field in Windy