How does cigarette smoke effect the mucous layer in bronchioles?
Cigarette smoke irritates cells in the bronchi and this
irritation triggers special cells to produce a layer of mucus
designed to trap the foreign particles irritating the cells. This
layer of mucus is then suppose to be swept away by the Cilia,
though the tar found in cigarette smoke slows the action of the
cilia. This tar accumulates in the mucus layer, because the cilia
are not able to respond due to the presence of this tar. In
conclusion, the mucus layer will gradually grow over time because
the cilia will not be able to sweep away the accumulated foreign
particles.