A region of epithelium consisting of columnar or cuboidal cells bearing hairlike appendages (cilia) that are capable of beating rapidly. Ciliated epithelium performs the function of moving particles or fluid over the epithelial surface in such structures as the trachea, bronchial tubes, and nasal cavities. It often occurs in the vicinity of mucus-secreting goblet cells. Ciliated epithelium also lines the ventricles of the brain where it helps circulate the cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore, the ciliated epithelium of your airway forms a mucociliary escalator that sweeps particles of dust and pathogens trapped in the secreted mucous toward the throat. It is called an escalator because it continuously pushes mucous with trapped particles upward. In contrast, nasal cilia sweep the mucous blanket down towards your throat. In both cases, the transported materials are usually swallowed, and end up in the acidic environment of your stomach. REFERENCE: Mescher, A. (2016). Junqueira’s Basic Histology Text & Atlas (Fourteenth Edition). OH, United States: McGraw-Hill Education.