Genetic diseases like PCD and CF and acquired diseases like COPD negatively impact the mucociliary escalator.

It helps to remove inspired dust particles.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease that can occur after smoking cigarettes or vaping e-cigarettes. COPD can negatively impact the mucociliary escalator and cause lung disease that looks similar in many ways to CF [3].

The mucociliary escalator is the nonimmunological defense mechanism involving ciliary action and flow of mucus from bronchioles, through the bronchi and trachea to the larynx, by which particulate matter is removed from the respiratory tract. Called also mucociliary ladder.

This movement up the respiratory tract removes dust, tiny bugs, pollen and other unwelcome visitors up and out. Sometimes you will sneeze it out and other times you will swallow it and the very acid juices in the stomach will take care of it.

This is the process whereby mucus, produced by goblet cells, is moved along the respiratory tract trapping debrs as it goes, by the constant beating of the cilia lining the airways.