science

definition of mucus

It is designated by the term of mucus To that viscous substance of biological origin that is produced in the living being when the protection of certain surfaces is necessary. That is, under circumstances such as: dehydration, chemical or bacteriological attack or simply to act as a lubricant, the well-known mucus or mucus, as it is also called, will appear on the scene.

Mucus is produced by a specialized type of cells, called goblet cellsThey are glandular cells secreting mucus and present in the epithelial linings of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and the digestive system, which repeatedly secrete globules of mucus; it is mainly composed of mucin, which is a complex of protein and carbohydrate, in addition, inorganic salts, water, scaled cells and leukocytes.

Meanwhile, the mucus produced by the aforementioned goblet cells will be secreted by the tubule thanks to the exocytosis process and then, diluted with water, with the mission of coating the epithelium exposed to harmful actions, either in the digestive tract or in the respiratory. In other words, its primary and most important function is to keep the epithelium moisturized, especially the one that corresponds to the airways in order to avoid their desiccation.

For his part, the cervical mucus, is a type of vaginal discharge from the cervix and that in some way gives us the pattern of her fertility, since it becomes denser, thicker, opaque and whitish when the woman is in the phase of the ovulation. The mission of that mucus will be to act as a barrier, a protection against any type of infection that can reach the uterus. Throughout the pregnancy the uterus will remain blocked by this plug of mucus to preserve the baby and dissipates when the uterus begins to dilate in labor.

The mucophagia It is a type of behavioral disorder that will involve ingesting the mucus itself.

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