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Related Concept Videos

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:16

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
Sputum Studies I: Gram Stain, cytology, and Acid-fast smear and culture01:26

Sputum Studies I: Gram Stain, cytology, and Acid-fast smear and culture

Sputum studies are a critical part of diagnosing and treating numerous respiratory conditions. These studies involve obtaining sputum samples for analysis to identify pathogenic organisms and assess the presence of abnormal cells indicative of malignant conditions. This lesson will delve into three fundamental sputum studies: Gram Stain, Cytology, and Acid-fast Smear and Culture.
Gram Stain
The Gram Stain is an integral part of sputum studies. It involves the staining of sputum, which permits...
Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity01:20

Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity

Description
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer
08:47

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer

Published on: April 21, 2022

Mucins, mucus, and sputum.

Judith A Voynow1, Bruce K Rubin2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham.

Chest
|February 10, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Airway mucus, primarily mucin glycoproteins, is crucial for innate immunity and airway clearance. In diseases like asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF), mucus composition and function are altered, impairing airway health.

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Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Rapid Viscoelastic Characterization of Airway Mucus Using a Benchtop Rheometer
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Published on: April 21, 2022

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09:24

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Published on: June 14, 2016

Using Unfixed, Frozen Tissues to Study Natural Mucin Distribution
11:39

Using Unfixed, Frozen Tissues to Study Natural Mucin Distribution

Published on: September 21, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Normal airway mucus, composed of mucin glycoproteins, is essential for innate immunity and mucociliary clearance.
  • Mucins are large, glycosylated proteins with distinct secreted and membrane-associated families.
  • Chronic inflammatory airway diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis (CF) feature altered mucus (sputum) with impaired clearance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent insights into mucus biology in both healthy and diseased airways.
  • To explore the role of mucin glycoproteins in airway innate immunity and disease pathogenesis.
  • To understand the biochemical and cellular functions of secreted mucins.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent scientific findings on mucus biology.
  • Analysis of the composition and biophysical properties of normal mucus versus pathological sputum.
  • Examination of mucin gene regulation and secretion mechanisms in airway diseases.

Main Results:

  • Mucin glycoproteins are key components of normal mucus, aiding in pathogen and particulate removal.
  • Sputum in chronic airway diseases exhibits altered composition, including reduced intact mucin and increased DNA, actin, lipids, and proteoglycans in conditions like CF.
  • Mucin overproduction is a common feature in inflammatory airway diseases, though sputum composition varies significantly with specific pathologies.

Conclusions:

  • Mucus composition and function are critical for maintaining airway health and innate immunity.
  • Dysregulation of mucin production and altered sputum properties contribute to airway obstruction and disease progression.
  • Further research into mucin biology is vital for understanding and treating chronic inflammatory airway diseases.