Ultrastructural Changes of Mucous Blanket in Chronic Ethmoiditis.
- Author:
Seung Hoon LEE
1
;
Chan PARK
;
Woo Jeong KIM
;
Jae Shin LIM
;
Hak Hyun JUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea. hakjung@netsgo.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Mucous blanket;
Ethmoiditis;
Ethmoid mucosa;
Ultrastructure
- MeSH:
Cilia;
Drainage;
Ethmoid Sinus;
Hand;
Mucociliary Clearance;
Mucous Membrane;
Mucus;
Respiratory Mucosa
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
1998;41(9):1133-1136
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: he mucous blanket as a smooth layer riding on the top of cilia in the respiratory mucosa provides the airway fluidity and protection from exogenous materials. However, the depth of the periciliary fluid layer is critical for the interaction between the cilia and mucus as decreased depth of the periciliary fluid layer could disturb the mucociliary transport. The purpose of this study is to investigate the ultrastructural changes of mucous blanket in the inflammatory mucosa of posterior ethmoid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the ultrastructural changes of ethmoid mucous blanket using the transmission electron microscope (5 normal posterior ethmoid sinus mucosa and 5 posterior ethmoiditis mucosa). RESULTS: Normal ethmoid maintained two layers of mucous blanket, but the mucous blanket from posterior ethmoiditis showed decreased periciliary fluid layer and increased mucous layer. CONCLUSION: Decreased periciliary fluid layer due to increased mucous layer in posterior ethmoiditis cause inactive ciliary beat and therefore can impair mucociliary transport. On the other hand, early drainage of mucus secretion in posterior ethmoiditis may improve the mucociliary transport.
