Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 56, Issue 3 785-794, Copyright © 1984 by American Physiological Society
On the mechanics of mucociliary flows. III. Flow-velocity profiles in frog palate mucus
H. Winet, G. T. Yates, T. Y. Wu and J. Head
Flow-velocity profiles over excised frog ciliated epithelium were obtained
for the region within about 600 micron of the mucosa. Fluorescent particles
were used as flow tracers. Both a control and an autologous mucus
suspension were observed. The control culture medium was bounded by the
walls of the observation chamber, and mucus was deposited on the epithelium
as a blob after mixing it with tracers. In spite of the difference in
boundary conditions the two profiles, normalized to maximum particle
velocity and solution depth, were indistinguishable at heights over 60
micron from the mucosa. The near-mucosa profiles in contrast were unalike
with mucus exhibiting a greater shear gradient than the control culture
medium. It was concluded that ciliary contact is not necessary for
generation of mucus flow provided the ciliary shear is not negated by the
mucus "flake" or "slab" being in simultaneous contact with significant
ciliostatic patches which would act as anchors.
