So I inhaled a small amount of orange juice this evening (by accident, because I’m dopey like that). It’s been a few hours, and I’m clearly not going to die of it (though it still tickles a little), but it’s making me curious. How is the orange juice going to get out of my lungs? How long will it take?
Also, is there some sort of physiological reason that I can’t seem to take a drink without getting it down the wrong tube, or am I just dumb like that?
It’s gone by now, most likely. Most of it would have been coughed out and/or swallowed when you inhaled it. Most of the fluid that was left after that would be absorbed into the bloodstream, and any solids remaining will be expelled by the cilia that line the plumbing of the lungs.
Fluid in the lungs can be serious, but I think the amounts you are talking about are insignificant. The inside of your lungs are moist anyway, and your body will naturally take care of small amounts to establish an equilibrium.
Excess fluid in the lungs can lead to aspiration pneumonia. When there is more fluid than can be absorbed or evaporated through respiration, it acts hygroscopically to actually attract more water to accumulate. This is what leads some near-drowning victims to die of “dry drowning” sometime after the incident - after inspiring some water, it accumulates unbeknownst to the victim until it becomes a problem.
Bottom line - you should be okay, but if you find yourself coughing some time after the accidental inhalation of fluid, it’s probably a good idea to see a doctor.
-FK
Sorry, I just realized that the phrase “dry drowning” is more commonly associated with a laryngospasm which causes death by asphyxiation, as opposed to inhalation of water. Disregard that particular sentence.
-FK
Okay… not really off the topic of inhaling fluids.
How does that liquid oxygen stuff work… you know like in the movie abyss (i think) where you breathe liquid… im sure its not really liquid oxygen, just thats the only name i can come up with right now.
I was told awhile back that the military actually does have stuff like that… did someone lie to me? If not… can you guys tell me anything about it / send me somewhere where i can read about it? I always thought that stuff was really interesting. If it IS real… how do your lungs deal with that “fluid” ? 
Look here for a starter; also try Googling for “perflubron” or “Oxygent” (the trade name for the same stuff).
You’re right that it’s not liquid oxygen, obviously. It’s a liquid fluorocarbon which is a good solvent of oxygen. This stuff currently finds use as a blood substitute, I believe, as it can carry oxygen round the body, but animal studies have shown it to be of use for artificial respiration (you fill the lungs with this stuff, like in the movie…)
Oh, they’ve tried it with premature babies, too, with promising results.
Your bronchial tubes are lined with very fine hairs called cillia, that are constantly sweeping debris and mucous up and out of your lungs. If it’s just a small amount of fluid, it’ll probably be swept back up so that you can send it back down the right tube.