Air humidity and mucociliary activity

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1976 Jan-Feb;85(1 Pt 1):32-7. doi: 10.1177/000348947608500106.

Abstract

The relationship between varying humidity levels in the surrounding air and the mucociliary activity in rabbit trachea has been investigated. At a relative humidity (R.H.) above 70% the risk for ciliestasis is very small in the temperature range between 34 C and 40 C. At 37 C ciliestasis is not obtained until a relative humidity (R.H.) of 50% has been reached. The critical border is reached already at 60% R.H. if the temperature is 40 C. At 37 C and a decrement from 90% to 60% R.H. the mucociliary wave frequency was reduced by 30%, but at 40 C the corresponding reduction was 60%.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cilia / physiology
  • Rabbits
  • Temperature
  • Trachea / physiology*