Ciliary fluid transport: theory and experiment

The essence of the discrete-cilia approach to model cilia action was presented, the basic building block being the concentrated force, or Stokeslet. Properties of single Stokeslets and infinite arrays of Stokeslets were discussed. Applications of the theory to the feeding of microorganisms, fluid transport above a ciliary patch, and fluid flow inside a ciliated tube were discussed. In the first two cases experiments exist, and the theory fits well with experiment. The third suggests a possible mechanism for sperm movement up the oviduct.