motile cilium
A cilium which may have a variable arrangement of axonemal microtubules and also contains molecular motors. It may beat with a whip-like pattern that promotes cell motility or transport of fluids and other cells across a cell surface, such as on epithelial cells that line the lumenal ducts of various tissues; or they may display a distinct twirling motion that directs fluid flow asymmetrically across the cellular surface to affect asymmetric body plan organization. Motile cilia can be found in single as well as multiple copies per cell.
GO:0005929
cilium
is_a
microtubule-based flagellum
related
motile cilia
exact
motile primary cilia
related
motile primary cilium
related
motile secondary cilium
related
nodal cilium
related