What structure lines the upper respiratory tubules to assist in trapping debris?

Cilia are microscopic, hair-like structures that line the upper respiratory tract, including the nasal cavity, trachea, and bronchi. Their primary function is to help trap and move debris, pathogens, and particles away from the lungs and toward the throat, where they can be swallowed or expelled. This mechanism is an essential part of the respiratory system's defense strategy, ensuring that the air reaching the lungs is as clean as possible.

While mucus membranes do play a role in producing mucus, which traps debris, it is the coordinated movement of cilia that actively transports this trapped material out of the respiratory system. This interaction between mucus and cilia is crucial for maintaining respiratory health and preventing infections or blockages. Alveoli, on the other hand, are the tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs, and bronchi are the major air passages that branch from the trachea to the lungs, rather than structures involved in trapping debris.