A review on the mucus dynamics in the human respiratory airway

Research interest in the dynamics of respiratory flow and mucus has significantly increased in recent years with important contributions from various disciplines such as pulmonary and critical care medicine, surgery, physiology, environmental health sciences, biophysics, and engineering. Different areas of engineering, including mechanical, chemical, civil/environmental, aerospace, and biomedical engineering, have longstanding connections with respiratory research. This review draws on a wide range of scientific literature that reflects the diverse audience and interests in respiratory science. Its focus is on mucus dynamics in the respiratory airways, covering aspects such as mucins in fluidity and network formation, mucus production and function, response to external conditions, clearance methods, relationship with age, rheological properties, mucus surfactant, and mucoviscidosis. Each of these areas contains multiple subtopics that offer extensive depth and breadth for readers. We underscore the crucial importance of regulating and treating mucus for maintaining the health and functionality of the respiratory system, highlighting the ongoing need for further research to address respiratory disorders associated with mucus dynamics.