Mucous Secretion (Noun)
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.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The mucous secretion in the respiratory tract serves as a protective barrier, trapping dust and pathogens that could otherwise enter the lungs.
- The body's mucous secretion plays a vital role in protecting the gut from irritation and infection by lubricating the passage of food through the digestive system.
- Problems with mucous secretion can lead to conditions such as dry mouth and dry eyes, where the lack of protective mucus causes irritation and discomfort.
- In people with cystic fibrosis, the mucous secretion in the lungs is thick and sticky, making it difficult for cilia to clear it and leaving the lungs vulnerable to infection.
- Mucous secretion from the nasal glands and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract can trap pathogens, thereby providing a defense against respiratory infections.