Summary
The mucociliary system of the respiratory tract is easily influenced by temperature — and humidity variations in the surrounding air. A series of functional in vitro experiments on heat-exposed rabbit trachea has been performed. The present investigation deals with the corresponding morphological changes of tracheal surface structures after exposure to temperatures between 40°C and 50°C and at a constant humidity of approximately 90 per cent. The following pathological findings were observed at a temperature of 42°C:
1. Fusion of cilia in their distal ends after 20–45 min., 2. appearance of submembranous vesicles without visible matrix after 45–165 min., 3. disappearance of vesicles and a definite deterioration of ciliary structures after 165 min.
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This investigation has been supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council, Project No B 73-14 X-3897-01 and Johan and Augusta Persson, Research Fund, University of Lund.
We are greatly indebted to Miss Inger Norling, Miss Marianne Palmegren and Miss Birgitta Sandström for excellent technical assistance.
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Mecklenburg, C.v., Mercke, U., Håkansson, C.H. et al. Morphological changes in ciliary cells due to Heat exposure a scanning electron microscopic study. Cell Tissue Res. 148, 45–56 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224317
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224317