Ciliated cells

These are tall, slender, cylindrical cells of the airway lining with an oval nucleus at the base. Of particular importance in their morphology are:
 * cilia with embedded microvilli in the apical membrane, these are responsible for movement of mucus with trapped microbes and debris;
 * aquaporins, i.e. channels of the cell membrane regulating water discharge into the lumen of the airways and thus humidity of the air and viscosity of the mucus layer.

Related Articles

 * Mucous membranes of the airways
 * Epithelium
 * Trachea (histology) • Bronchi (histology) • Bronchioly (histology)