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The purpose of this study was to investigate the directions of mucous surface waves and mucous flow in the large bronchi. The materials were tracheae, carinae, and main bronchi of 12 humans, 5 pigs, 3 monkeys, and 1 rabbit. Mucous surface waves and mucous flow were observed with a stereoscopic zoom microscope system. Large differences in the directions of mucous surface waves between human beings and quadrupeds were encountered. In the trachea of quadrupeds, the mucous surface waves of both the right and left walls fused at the midline of the ventral side and then proceeded in an upward fashion, and those waves of the membranous portion proceeded upward synchronously. In the trachea of human beings, those waves proceeded in a clockwise helical fashion to the oral side. In the main bronchi of them, those waves traveled in a straight, upward fashion. There were no significant differences between the directions of mucous surface waves and mucous flow in any portion of the trachea. When the surface of the specimen was covered with sticky mucous, an abnormal to-and-fro pattern of movement was observed. There was a difference in transport of the foreign bodies and sputum in the large bronchi between human beings and quadrupeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to monitor ciliary motion would help us to understand the physiological role of ciliary motion and would also be useful for the diagnosis of various disorders of the bronchi. The aim of this study was to clarify what conditions are most efficacious for the observation of ciliary motion Lighting conditions of various combinations of the angle of the light guide fiber and objective stage were examined through a stereoscopic zoom microscope. Subsequently, a prototype bronchovideoscope that can magnify objects approximately 100 times with optimal lighting conditions similar to those found to be most efficacious was developed. The ciliary motion was visualized in the halation on the bronchial surface at magnification of 100 or more. This motion was recognized as many fine light flickers at a magnification of 100 and was recognized as many beating whips at a magnification of 500. The optimal angle of incidence to bronchial surface was found to be at 25° to 40°. Through a videoscope, many light flickers were clearly recognized on surgical specimens. Real-time observation of ciliary motion was also achieved through a flexible bronchovideoscope. This new technique holds great promise for understanding and diagnosing of the tracheobronchial disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]