Mucus <snot> is a slippery secretion of the lining of the mucous membranes in the body. The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin covered in Epithelium, which are involved in It is a viscous colloid containing antiseptic enzymes (such as lysozyme) and immunoglobulins. A colloid is a type of mechanical Mixture where one substance is dispersed evenly throughout another Antiseptics (from Greek αντί - anti, '"against" + σηπτικός - septikos, "putrefactive" are antimicrobial Lysozyme is a family of Enzymes ( which damage bacterial cell walls by catalyzing Hydrolysis of 14-beta-linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and Antibodies (also known as immunoglobulins, abbreviated Ig) are Gamma globulin Proteins that are found in Blood or other Bodily Mucus is produced by goblet cells in the mucous membranes that cover the surfaces of the membranes. Goblet cells are Glandular simple columnar epithelial cells whose sole function is to secrete Mucus. It is made up of mucins and inorganic salts suspended in water. Mucins are a family of large heavily glycosylated Proteins ( Glycoconjugates. Phlegm is a type of mucus that is restricted to the respiratory tract, while the term mucus refers to secretions of the nasal passages as well. Phlegm ( is sticky Fluid secreted by the Mucous membranes of Humans and other Animals. The nasal cavity (or nasal fossa) is a large air-filled space above and behind the nose in the middle of the face

Contents 1 Respiratory system 1.1 Mucin 1.2 Diseases involving mucus 1.3 Cystic fibrosis 1.4 Cold weather and mucus 1.5 As a medical symptom 2 Digestive system 3 Reproductive system 4 See also 5 References

Respiratory system

In the respiratory system, mucus traps small particles such as bacteria and dust, helping to prevent them from entering the body when breathing in through the nose; this occurs especially in the nose. Mucus aids in the protection of the lungs by trapping foreign particles that enter the nose during normal breathing. lung is the essential Respiration organ in air-breathing Animals including most Tetrapods a few Fish and a few Snails The most primitive Additionally, it prevents tissues from drying out. Increased mucus production in the respiratory tract is a symptom of many common illnesses, such as the common cold. Acute viral nasopharyngitis or acute coryza, usually known as the common cold, is a highly contagious viral Infectious disease of the The presence of mucus in the nose and throat is normal, but increased quantities can impede comfortable breathing and must be cleared by blowing the nose or expectorating phlegm from the throat. Anatomically a nose is a protuberance in Vertebrates that houses the Nostrils or nares which admit and expel air for respiration in conjunction with the In Anatomy, the throat is the anterior part of the Neck, in front of the vertebral column. Phlegm ( is sticky Fluid secreted by the Mucous membranes of Humans and other Animals. Among the components of nasal mucus are tears. Tears are the liquid product of a process of lacrimation to clean and lubricate the Eyes The word lacrimation may also be used in a medical or literary sense

Nasal mucus is mucus produced by the nasal mucosa. The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin covered in Epithelium, which are involved in It serves to protect the respiratory tract and trap foreign objects such as dust and pollen before they enter the remainder of the respiratory tract. In humans the respiratory tract is the part of the Anatomy that has to do with the process of respiration. Nasal mucus is produced continually, and most of it is swallowed unconsciously.

Mucin

Mucus is produced by submucosal cells as well as goblet cells in the respiratory system. It consists of mucin, a highly glycosylated peptide. Upon stimulation, MARPKs (myrastine-alanine rich protein kinases) signal the binding of mucin filled vesicles to the plasma membrane. The cell membrane (also called the plasma membrane, plasmalemma, or "phospholipid bilayer" is a Selectively permeable Lipid bilayer The fusion of the vesicles causes the release of the mucin, which as it exchanges Ca²⁺ for Na⁺ expands up to 600 fold. Calcium (ˈkælsiəm is the Chemical element with the symbol Ca and Atomic number 20 Sodium (ˈsoʊdiəm is an element which has the symbol Na( Latin natrium, from Arabic natrun) atomic number 11 atomic mass 22 The result is a viscoelastic product of interwoven molecules called mucus.

Diseases involving mucus

Generally mucus is clear and thin, serving to filter air during inhalation. During times of infection, mucus can change color to yellow or green either as a result of trapped bacteria, or due to the body's reaction to viral infection. The Bacteria ( singular: bacterium) are a large group of unicellular Microorganisms Typically a few Micrometres in length bacteria have A virus (from the Latin virus meaning Toxin or Poison) is a sub-microscopic infectious agent that is unable ^[1] Such colored mucus or phlegm usually has an offensive putrid odor.

In the case of bacterial infection, the bacterium becomes trapped in already clogged sinuses, breeding in the moist, nutrient-rich environment. Paranasal sinuses are air-filled spaces communicating with the nasal cavity within the bones of the Skull and face Antibiotics may be used fruitfully to treat the secondary infection in these cases, but will generally not help with the original cause. In modern usage an antibiotic is a Chemotherapeutic agent with activity against Microorganisms such as Bacteria, fungi or Protozoa

In the case of a viral infection such as cold or flu, the first stage of infection causes the production of a clear, thin mucus in the nose or back of the throat. As the body begins to react to the virus (generally one to three days), mucus thickens and may turn yellow or green. In these cases, antibiotics will not be useful, and are a major source of misuse. Treatment is generally symptom-based; the only cure is to allow the immune system to fight off the virus over time.

Cystic fibrosis

Main article: Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects the entire body, but symptoms begin mostly in the lungs with excess production of mucus which is difficult to expel. Cystic fibrosis (also known as CF, mucoviscoidosis, or mucoviscidosis) is a hereditary disease affecting the exocrine (mucus glands of the lungs Cystic fibrosis (also known as CF, mucoviscoidosis, or mucoviscidosis) is a hereditary disease affecting the exocrine (mucus glands of the lungs

Cold weather and mucus

During cold weather, the cilia which normally sweep mucus away from the nostrils and towards the back of the throat (see respiratory epithelium) become sluggish or completely cease functioning. A cilium (plural cilia) is an Organelle found in eukaryotic cells Cilia are tail-like projections extending approximately Respiratory Epithelium is a type of Epithelium found lining the Respiratory tract, where it serves to moisten and protect the airways This results in mucus running down the nose and dripping (a runny nose). Mucus also thickens in cold weather; when an individual comes in from the cold, the mucus thaws and begins to run before the cilia begin to work again.

As a medical symptom

Increased mucus production in the respiratory tract is a symptom of many common diseases, such as the common cold. Acute viral nasopharyngitis or acute coryza, usually known as the common cold, is a highly contagious viral Infectious disease of the The presence of mucus in the nose and throat is normal, but increased quantities can hinder comfortable breathing and may be cleared by blowing the nose or expectorating excess mucus from the back of the throat. Anatomically a nose is a protuberance in Vertebrates that houses the Nostrils or nares which admit and expel air for respiration in conjunction with the In Anatomy, the throat is the anterior part of the Neck, in front of the vertebral column. Nasal mucus may also be removed by using traditional methods of nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation or nasal lavage is the personal Hygiene practice in which the Nasal cavity is washed to flush out excess Mucus and debris Excess mucus, as with a cold or allergies may be treated cautiously with decongestant drugs. Allergy is a disorder of the Immune system often also referred to as Atopy. A decongestant is a broad class of Medications used to relieve Nasal congestion. Excess mucus in the bronchial tubes, as which occurs in asthma or bronchitis, may be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the mucus production. Asthma is a chronic Condition involving the Respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict become inflamed, and are Bronchitis is an Inflammation of the Bronchi. More specifically it may refer to Acute bronchitis, caused by viruses or bacteria and lasting Thickening of mucus by decongestant drugs may produce problems of drainage and circumstances that promote infection. Mucus with any color other than clear or white is generally an indicator of an infection of the nasal mucosa or the paranasal sinus. An infection is the detrimental Colonization of a host Organism by a foreign Species. The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin covered in Epithelium, which are involved in Paranasal sinuses are air-filled spaces communicating with the nasal cavity within the bones of the Skull and face

Digestive system

In the digestive system, mucus is used as a lubricant for materials which must pass over membranes, e. g. , food passing down the esophagus. The esophagus or oesophagus (see American and British English spelling differences) sometimes known as the gullet, is an organ in A layer of mucus along the inner walls of the stomach is vital to protect the cell linings of that organ from the highly acidic environment within it. In Human anatomy, the stomach is a J-shaped hollow muscular organ of the Gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of Digestion, following

Reproductive system

In the female reproductive system, cervical mucus prevents infection. The cervix (from Latin "neck" is the lower narrow portion of the Uterus where it joins with the top end of the Vagina. The consistency of cervical mucus varies depending on the stage of a woman's menstrual cycle. At ovulation cervical mucus is clear, runny, and conducive to sperm; post-ovulation, mucus becomes thicker and is more likely to block sperm.

In the male reproductive system, the seminal vesicles contribute up to 60% of the total volume of the semen and contain mucus, amino acids, and fructose as the main energy source for the sperm. The seminal vesicles ( glandulae vesiculosae) are a pair of simple tubular glands posteroinferior to the Urinary bladder of males Physiological aspects Internal and external fertilization Depending on the Species, spermatozoa can fertilize

See also

• Empty nose syndrome
• Spinnbarkeit

References

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