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MUCOUS SECRETION
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
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
Synonyms:
mucous secretion; mucus
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("mucous secretion" is a kind of...):
secretion (a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell)
Meronyms (substance of "mucous secretion"):
mucin (a nitrogenous substance found in mucous secretions; a lubricant that protects body surfaces)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mucous secretion"):
phlegm; sputum (expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness)
snot (nasal mucus)
booger (dried nasal mucus)
leucorrhea; leukorrhea (discharge of white mucous material from the vagina; often an indication of infection)
