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Cilia

From About.com

Updated: April 18, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

Definition: Microscopic hair-like structures on the cells lining the inner surface of the airways and lungs that wave continuously in an upward direction to remove mucus from the lung.

Source: Lung Cancer by Lorraine Johnston

Pronunciation: SIL ee uh
Common Misspellings: silia, cillia, sillia
Examples: Cilia in smokers are often times immobile.

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