Mucus

Types of mucus

Various plants and in particular some Algue S produient external and internal mucilages. In the animal world, the Snail S, Slug S and other species (Poisson S, certain invertebrates) produce external mucuses having functions of protection and sometimes of facility of displacement, even of communication (Ex: mucus traces left by the slugs). The man also produces mucuses in the lungs and the digestive system.

Functions

Certain mucuses (produced by Amphibien S of which some Clamping plate S, Frog S and salamanders) can contain powerful toxins protecting the animal against its predatory and certain infections (fungic, bacterial and viral). Mucus facilitates the displacement of fish in water. It limits the dehydration and the warming of the algae exposed to the air to low tide. Some towards sailors of the Sédiment S (Néréis) get rid of part of the poisons (heavy metals) which they absorbed in mucus pellets

At the man, the mucus produced in the Lung S, contributes to protect the respiratory system by collecting and exporting number of the foreign particles which enter the nose or the mouth to each inspiration. The mucus , liquid clear and viscous, composed of Glycoprotéine S and of protéoglycanes , is formed by the mucous cells or mucipares, still called in histology: cell " Caliciform with mucus " dispersed within the epitheliums . He prevents the desiccation (draining) fabrics. Mucus facilitates the transit of food in the esophagus, and prevents the gastric juices from dissolving the walls of the Estomac.

Mucus at the man

The most obvious demonstration of mucus is nasal mucus, very liquid at the time of the Rhume S, which leaves the nose when one fly or that one sneezes. One can find it, when it is swallowed with also swallowed pulmonary mucus, if they were not expectorés in the form of spittle. In vulgar language, one speaks about snot (not to be confused with the disease) or about bow net , when it is liquid, and about droppings of nose when it is dry. The excrements are also normally covered with a fine layer of mucus lubricating produced by the Intestin.

Color and consistency of mucus

They can sometimes let suppose certain pathologies:

transparent and liquid: Ignition without Infection (Allergy, Asthma) gastric Backward flow or infections Sinusitis, cold, influenza; Mucus contains residues of sialic Acide at which can set grippaux viruses. A very liquid mucus is easily nébulisé in fine droplets at the time of the sneeze. It then becomes a direct vector of Contagion or via Fomite S.
Jaune: infection;
Green: more virulent infection;
Blue: infection with the reddish Bacillus pyocyanic
: evoke a hemorrhage

See too

Caliciform Glaire
with mucus

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