Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Cilia

Cilia are small, hairlike structures found on the surface of cells. They are composed of microtubules, meaning they are highly mobile. Cilia play an important role in many different processes, including movement, sensory detection, and fluid transport. They have the ability to beat in unison and create currents in t…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 3 peer-reviewed articles cited 🗓 Reviewed June 2026

Overview

Cilia are small, hairlike structures found on the surface of cells. They are composed of microtubules, meaning they are highly mobile. Cilia play an important role in many different processes, including movement, sensory detection, and fluid transport. They have the ability to beat in unison and create currents in the fluid around them. This is particularly important in the lining of airways and other bodily systems, as it helps to move dust, mucus, and other particles away from the body. Cilia also enable cells to detect direction, allowing them to swim and migrate. They are especially important in development, as they help to maintain the positioning of organs in the body.

Research published in this journal

3 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in International Journal of Cell.

Journal editorial board
Faiz Ul Amin · Korea, Democratic People's Rep Yuping Li · United States Hong WAN · United Kingdom

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.