On the Defense Mechanisms of the Respiratory Mucosa Towards Infection

Abstract

The rapid development of immunology, biochemistry and ultramicroscopy in the past few years has also drawn scientific attention to the functions of mucous membranes in their entirety. Very convincing arguments were developed in rapid succession to explain the fact that the respiratory mucosa in no way constitutes simply a more or less inert mechanical barrier to invaders. On the contrary, it is a complicated and ingenious system—especially in the nasal area- for limited encounter with and, at the same time, checked defense of the organism with respect to animate and inanimate foreign matter. In other words, the nasal mucosa constitutes a very effective organ for the information, adaptation and defense of the organism in its environment.