MUCOUS SECRETION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does mucous secretion mean? 

• MUCOUS SECRETION (noun)
  The noun MUCOUS SECRETION has 1 sense:

1. 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

  Familiarity information: MUCOUS SECRETION used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MUCOUS SECRETION (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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

mucous secretion; mucus

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)