mucus
Slimy bodily fluid
Mucus is the slippery, viscous secretion produced by membranes lining body passages—the nose, throat, lungs, and digestive tract.
It traps dust, bacteria, and other particles, protecting underlying tissues.
When you're sick, mucus production increases: My nose won't stop running.
The adjective is mucous, as in mucous membrane.
Viscous airway secretion
- snotNasal mucus discharge
- salivaMouth's digestive secretion
- sputumExpelled lung mucus
- pusInfected tissue fluid
earwax · rheum · tears · sweat · bile · lymph · sebum · exudate
Chief glycoprotein of slime
- glandsSecreting organs
- secretionSubstance released by glands
- sinusesAir-filled skull cavities
- bronchialOf lung airways
nasal · respiratory · expectorate · rhinorrhea · postnasal drip · cough · cilia · lining
Wet, slippery, unpleasant
- stickyApt to adhere
- gooeySoft and sticky
- viscousThick and slow-flowing
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
thick · slippery · ropy · stringy · gummy · tacky · adhesive · clammy
Of the nose
- respiratoryRelated to breathing organs
- bronchialOf lung airways
- sinusesAir-filled skull cavities
- throatNeck's inner passage
lungs · airways · trachea · esophagus · stomach · intestinal · cervical · gastrointestinal
Proteins targeting pathogens
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- antibacterialKills or inhibits germs
- macrophageEngulfing immune cell
neutrophils · cytokines · pathogens · barrier · defense · filtration · innate · inflammation
phlegm
Viscous airway secretion
pus · earwax · rheum · tears · sweat · bile · lymph · sebum · exudate · cerumen
mucin
Chief glycoprotein of slime
bronchial · nasal · respiratory · expectorate · rhinorrhea · postnasal drip · cough · cilia · lining · membrane
slimy
Wet, slippery, unpleasant
gelatinous · thick · slippery · ropy · stringy · gummy · tacky · adhesive · clammy · moist
nasal
Of the nose
- respiratoryRelated to breathing organs
- bronchialOf lung airways
- sinusesAir-filled skull cavities
throat · lungs · airways · trachea · esophagus · stomach · intestinal · cervical · gastrointestinal
antibodies
Proteins targeting pathogens
- immunoglobulinDefensive blood protein
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- antibacterialKills or inhibits germs
macrophage · neutrophils · cytokines · pathogens · barrier · defense · filtration · innate · inflammation · allergens
- Lungslungs, lung, bronchi, bronchus, alveoli
- animal defensespoison, venom, toxin, toxins, horns
- blockagesblockage, dam, clog, congestion, drain clog
- coldscommon cold, cold virus, rhinovirus, head cold, chest cold
- Respiratory Problemsasthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, emphysema
- stomachstomach, stomach acid, gastric acid, stomach lining, fundus
- mucous membranesSlick tissue lining cavities
- mucus plugGelatinous cervical barrier
- mucus membraneSlick tissue lining cavities
- mucosal inflammationIrritation of moist linings
- mucus buildupAccumulated respiratory secretion
- cervical mucusVaginal secretion indicating fertility