The Effect of Carbon Dioxide on the Activity of Cilia:<i>A Study on Rabbit Sinus Mucosa in Vitro</i>

Abstract

The relation of ciliary activity to the partial pressure of carbon dioxide was studied with a photoelectric method on rabbit sinus mucosa in vitro. A dose-response relationship was found, where by ciliary activity was impaired at pCO2 above 5 kPa. The effect of elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide on ciliary activity in secretory otitis media and sinusitis is discussed.