Rheology of submaxillary secretions of cystic fibrosis patients and normal individuals

Abstract

A new rheological parameter, β, was designed to measure the tackiness or superfluidity of submaxillary secretions. The β parameter represents the increase in surface area of the saliva per unit force when a strand of saliva is extended. It is measured in terms of viscosity coefficients, surface tensions, and densities of the submaxillary secretions. It was found that while the viscosity coefficient, surface tension, or the extendibility of the saliva alone could not differentiate between healthy and afflicted donors, the β parameter separates the C.P. patients into two distinct groups—one of which have β values which are higher than those of normal donors.