Crossword clues for mucus
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Mucus \Mu"cus\ (m[=u]"k[u^]s), n. [L. mucus, muccus; cf. mucere to be moldy or musty, Gr. my`xa mucus, and Skr. muc to release. Cf. Match for striking fire, Moist, Mucilage.]
(Physiol.) A viscid fluid secreted by mucous membranes, which it serves to moisten and protect. It covers the lining membranes of all the cavities which open externally, such as those of the mouth, nose, lungs, intestinal canal, urinary passages, etc.
(Physiol.) Any other animal fluid of a viscid quality, as the synovial fluid, which lubricates the cavities of the joints; -- improperly so used.
(Bot.) A gelatinous or slimy substance found in certain alg[ae] and other plants.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1660s (replacing Middle English mucilage), from Latin mucus "slime, mold, mucus of the nose, snot," from PIE root *meug- "slippery, slimy," with derivatives referring to wet or slimy substances or conditions (cognates: Latin emungere "to sneeze out, blow one's nose," mucere "be moldy or musty," Greek myssesthai "to blow the nose," myxa "mucus," mykes "fungus," Sanskrit muncati "he releases"). Old English had horh, which may be imitative.
Wiktionary
n. (context physiology English) A slippery secretion from the lining of the mucous membranes.
WordNet
n. protective secretion of the mucous membranes; in the gut it lubricates the passage of food and protects the epithelial cells; in the nose and throat and lungs it can make it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the body through the epithelium [syn: mucous secretion]
Wikipedia
In vertebrates, mucus ( ; adjectival form: "mucous") is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. Mucous fluid is rich in glycoproteins and water and is typically produced from cells found in mucous glands. Mucous fluid may also originate from mixed glands, which contain both serous and mucous cells. It is a viscous colloid containing antiseptic enzymes (such as lysozymes), immunoglobulins, inorganic salts, proteins such as lactoferrin, and glycoproteins known as mucins that are produced by goblet cells in the mucous membranes and submucosal glands. This mucus serves to protect epithelial cells (that line the tubes) in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, visual, and auditory systems; the epidermis in amphibians; and the gills in fish. A major function of this mucus is to protect against infectious agents such as fungi, bacteria and viruses. The average human nose produces about a liter of mucus per day. Most of the mucus produced is in the gastrointestinal tract.
Bony fish, hagfish, snails, slugs, and some other invertebrates also produce external mucus. In addition to serving a protective function against infectious agents, such mucus provides protection against toxins produced by predators, can facilitate movement and may play a role in communication.
The rest of this article deals with the production and function of mucus in humans.
Mucus is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes
Mucus may also refer to:
- Major Mucus, a character from Earthworm Jim
- Rubella Mucus, a character from Camp Lazlo
Usage examples of "mucus".
After a thorough cleansing of the vaginal surfaces of mucus, by means of the warm or hot water, it is sometimes advisable to inject remedial fluids.
A red silk curtain scented with rose oil, musk, sperm, rectal mucus, ozone and raw meat goes up on a hospital ward of boys covered with phosphorescent red blotches that glow and steam the fever smell off them, shuddering, squirming, shivering, eyes burning, legs up, teeth bare, whispering the ancient evil fever words.
With his prosthetic arm, he smashed her across the face and she fell back on the mattress, tears spilling and mingling with the blood and mucus from her nose.
In like manner healthy human provers have become hoarse of voice through taking the plant, and troubled with a severe cough, accompanied with the expectoration of abundant yellow mucus, just as in tubercular mischief beginning at the windpipe.
No mucus had been secreted, and the surrounding fluid was only just perceptibly tinted of a pale pink.
On the other hand, propionic acid, which is poisonous, does not cause much mucus to be secreted, yet the surrounding fluid became slightly pink.
Another team were following them up, spraying the drying cement with a gelatin mucus that shimmered with oil-slick marquetry until it hardened into the distinctive silverish hue.
Mucus and saliva streamed from his nose, joining the flood of debris and liquids vanishing into the duct.
Bathed in a clear mucus, it had an aura ol : morning mist, of dew, of the pink clouds of a sunrise gathered around it.
Roman gave a cry of horror as the cysts plopped onto the floor in splatters of blood and mucus.
As the prostate gland becomes more irritated and inflamed from the natural progress of the disease, or from the irritation caused by the passage of instruments, or the employment of strong, harsh, stimulating diuretics, the urine becomes cloudy, and still later is found to have deposited during the night in the chamber utensil a quantity of thick, tenacious, and usually offensive mucus.
It is characterized by great irritability of the stomach, and persistent vomiting and purging, the discharges from the bowels being copious and watery, and sometimes containing specks of curd, yellowish-green matter, and mucus.
On these serrated edges the medusas, globs of muscular mucus as wide as tabletops, hang stranded and expiring, thrown up by tempests that rend the glutinous, tideless waves.
The monkeys died with great quantities of clear mucus and green mucus running from their nose, mixed with blood that would not clot.
As the pains get most severe, nausea or vomiting, often repeated, follow, in which the contents of the stomach, with mucus and bile, is ejected.