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Cilia is a long, swinging protrusion extending from the free surface of a cell, thicker and longer than microvilli, which can be seen under a light microscope. A cell can have hundreds of cilia. Ciliae length is about 5-10 μm, thickness approximately 0.2 μm. There is a dense particle at the root, called the basalbody.
The cilia have the ability to oscillate rhythmically in a certain direction. Many cilia coordinate and sway together, pushing secretions and granular substances adhering to the epithelial surface towards a certain direction. For example, most of the lumen surface of the respiratory tract is ciliated epithelium, which, due to the directional oscillation of cilia, can expel inhaled dust and bacteria.