Respiratory tract sterility

[Phloston]

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What is the most proximal part of the respiratory tract that demonstrates sterility?

Thanks,

 

[Belleza156]

Hey! Been a while since I last saw u...but then again I'm back on SDN since I'm studying for step 2.

Are u looking for an exact location? All I have ever heard is the lower respiratory tract is sterile. Don't know the exact boundary...is there one?


I'd assume its wherever that mucociliary elevator ends. Where would that be?

 

[Phloston]

MTB-2 is very vague in saying that bronchoalveolar lavage is placing the bronchoscope into an area of lung normally not colonized by organisms.

The only thing I'm aware of is that it's placed distal relative to where a tracheal aspirate catheter would be placed.

Although a lavage would obviously lead to fluid flowing deeper into the lung before being recollected, that still doesn't answer the question as to where the bronchoscope is actually placed for a bronchoalveolar lavage.

Regarding the mucociliary clearance, my guess would be that we'd still see organisms along the epithelia despite the mucosa's attempt to clear them.

 

[Belleza156]

Sending u an email. Too long to type and copy paste here.

 

[docburg]

Can you guys post the answer for us?