[Cilia abnormalities in chronic maxillary sinusitis. a transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopic investigation (author's transl)].

In the resistance of respiratory diseases the mucociliary clearance is a very important factor. Among them the cilia play a decisive role. The normal structure and some variations of the cilia in the maxillary sinus are described using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The following cilia abnormalities were observed: cilia with a single axonema and excess cytoplasmic matrix; compound cilia and giant cilia with 2-4 and more complete or incomplete axonemata; development of cells, which have secretory granules like goblet cells and cilia like normal ciliated cells. Further the outgrowing of new cilia is shown in the SEM.