Editing Cilium (section)

===Extracellular changes===
Reduction of cilia function can also result from infection. Research into [[biofilm]]s has shown that bacteria can alter cilia. A biofilm is a community of bacteria of either the same or multiple species of bacteria. The cluster of cells secretes different factors which form an extracellular matrix. Cilia in the respiratory system is known to move mucus and pathogens out of the airways. It has been found that patients with biofilm positive infections have impaired cilia function. The impairment may present as decreased motion or reduction in the number of cilia. Though these changes result from an external source, they still effect the pathogenicity of the bacteria, progression of infection, and how it is treated.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Fastenberg JH, Hsueh WD, Mustafa A, Akbar NA, Abuzeid WM | title = Biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis: Pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies | journal = World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery | volume = 2 | issue = 4 | pages = 219–29 | date = December 2016 | pmid = 29204570 | pmc = 5698538 | doi = 10.1016/j.wjorl.2016.03.002 }}</ref>

The transportation of the [[oocyte|immature egg cell]], and the embryo to the [[uterus]] for [[Implantation (human embryo)|implantation]] depends on the combination of regulated smooth muscle contractions, and ciliary beating. Dysfunction in this transportation can result in an [[ectopic pregnancy]] where the embryo is implanted (usually) in the [[fallopian tube]] before reaching its proper destination of the uterus. Many factors can affect this stage including infection and menstrual cycle hormones. Smoking (causing inflammation), and infection can reduce the numbers of cilia, and the ciliary beat can be affected by hormonal changes.<ref name="Panelli">{{cite journal |last1=Panelli |first1=DM |last2=Phillips |first2=CH |last3=Brady |first3=PC |title=Incidence, diagnosis and management of tubal and nontubal ectopic pregnancies: a review. |journal=Fertility Research and Practice |date=2015 |volume=1 |pages=15 |doi=10.1186/s40738-015-0008-z |pmid=28620520|pmc=5424401 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Horne AW, Critchley HO | title = Mechanisms of disease: the endocrinology of ectopic pregnancy | journal = Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine | volume = 14 | pages = e7 | date = March 2012 | pmid = 22380790 | doi = 10.1017/erm.2011.2 | s2cid = 10039212 }}</ref>