CILIARY MOVEMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Ciliary movement refers to the coordinated, rhythmic motion of tiny hair-like cell structures called cilia. These cilia are present on the surface of many types of cells throughout the body, including those lining the respiratory tract, the fallopian tubes, and the efferent ducts of the testes. The primary function of ciliary movement is to create a fluid flow or cause the movement of objects in the surrounding environment.
The movement of cilia involves a back-and-forth motion, often compared to the rhythmic beating of a whip or the synchronized rowing of oars. This movement is facilitated by the contractile proteins within the cilia structures, which generate the necessary force for the cilia to bend and move together in a coordinated manner. The bending motion of the cilia creates a wave-like pattern that propels fluid or particles along the surface of the cell.
Ciliary movement plays a crucial role in various physiological processes. In the respiratory tract, for example, the coordinated beating of cilia helps to remove mucus and trapped debris by moving them towards the throat, where they can be coughed out or swallowed. Ciliary movement in the fallopian tubes aids in the transport of eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, facilitating fertility. Additionally, ciliary movement is involved in the movement of sperm cells through the male reproductive system.
In summary, ciliary movement refers to the rhythmic beating of hair-like structures called cilia, which propel fluids or objects along the surface of cells. This movement is vital for important functions such as mucus clearance in the respiratory tract, egg transport in the female reproductive system, and sperm movement in the male reproductive system.
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The rhythmical, sweeping m. of the cilia of epithelial cells, or the sculling movement of flagella, effected possibly by the alternate contraction and relaxation of contractile threads (myoids) on one side of the cilium or flagellum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CILIARY MOVEMENT
- xiliary movement
- viliary movement
- filiary movement
- diliary movement
- culiary movement
- cjliary movement
- ckliary movement
- coliary movement
- c9liary movement
- c8liary movement
- cikiary movement
- cipiary movement
- cioiary movement
- ciluary movement
- ciljary movement
- cilkary movement
- ciloary movement
- cil9ary movement
- cil8ary movement
- cilizry movement
Etymology of CILIARY MOVEMENT
The word "ciliary" is derived from the Latin word "cilia", which means "eyelashes". It is related to the Latin word "cilium", which also means "eyelash" or "eyelid". The term "ciliary movement" refers to the coordinated rhythmic motion of the cilia present in certain cells or organisms, such as those found in the respiratory tract or the oviducts in females.
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