Airway Clearance

• What is Airway Clearance?
• Normal Airway Clearance
• Impaired Airway Clearance
• The Need for Airway Clearance
• Vicious Cycle of Airway Clearance

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Normal Airway Clearance

Normal airway clearance is accomplished by:

• The mucociliary clearance system — The entire respiratory system is lined with cells that secrete mucus. Airway mucus is a complex substance that forms a protective barrier lining the respiratory tract. Bacteria and other airborne particles become trapped in this sticky mucus and then swept upwards and outwards by tiny hair-like structures called cilia. The interaction between normal mucus, cilia, and associated structures make up the mucociliary clearance system.
• Cough — An effective cough is capable of removing a substantial amount of mucus. A healthy MCC system moves respiratory secretions to central airways. Final clearance is accomplished by a combination of coughing and swallowing.

In healthy individuals, rates of mucus secretion and clearance are balanced. The consistency of mucus is also in balance — thick enough to trap bacteria and other inhaled particles, but thin enough to be moved easily by cilia. When airways are kept free of bacteria, other particles, and excess mucus, airways remain open and permit normal exchange of vital oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Learn more about airway clearance:

• What is Airway Clearance?
• Impaired Airway Clearance
• The Need for Airway Clearance
• Vicious Cycle of Airway Clearance