Skip to Main Content
Skip Nav Destination

First Page Preview

First page PDF preview

Typically, the clearance of airway secretions relies on 2 defense mechanisms: the mucociliary escalator and cough clearance. The mucociliary escalator requires normally functioning cilia and a normal airway surface liquid and mucus layer. These components of airway clearance function in the small airways as well as the larger cartilaginous airways (Figure 55-1). Cough clearance function is limited to the larger central airways and requires normal inspiration, vocal cord closure, and expiration, as well as adequate rigidity of the airway.

Children who lack any factor involved in the 2 main mechanisms, mucociliary escalator or cough clearance, will have difficulty...

You do not currently have access to this chapter.
Don't already have an account? Register

Purchased this content as a guest? Enter your email address to restore access.

Please enter valid email address.
Close Modal

or Create an Account

Close Modal
Close Modal