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mucous

mucous

8 6.8
Having a wet, sticky layer that lines parts of the body
  • adjective
  • /ˈmjuːkəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : mucoso
  • You get sweaty, your eyes water, your your skin flushes, the mucous membranes run, and so you get snot pouring out your nose.
  • mucous membranes
  • mucous glands
  • mucous secretion

They mainly exist in the mucous membrane lined tissues of the body.

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Examples

  • So we have nitric oxide that lines the inside of our mucous membrane in our nose.

  • Victims suffered from acute cyanosis, a blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes.

    Academic text (2005)
  • And if it hits yours, your mouth, your nose or your eyes, this is all mucous membranes.

  • Blood, saliva, any mucous membrane.

  • They mainly exist in the mucous membrane lined tissues of the body.

  • Some pathogens are transmitted by animal bites, scratches, or inoculation of an open wound or mucous membrane with infectious material.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by blistering of the skin and mucous membranes.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Presumably, the nasal mucous membranes are sterile prior to birth but become colonized during passage through the vaginal canal.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The doctor explained that the throat is lined with mucous membranes that help trap bacteria.

  • If the mucous membranes in your nose dry out, it can lead to discomfort and frequent nosebleeds.

Synonyms

mucosal
vsmucous
  • Specialized
2 7.9

Of the thin wet lining inside the body that makes mucus

applies more broadly to tissues producing or covered with mucus
muciferous
vsmucous
  • Specialized
9.9

A part of the body that contains or makes mucus

relates broadly to tissues or glands covered with or making mucus
mucoid
vsmucous
  • Specialized
8.8

Like the thick sticky fluid the body makes

is concerned with relation to mucus rather than only appearance
mucoidal
vsmucous
  • Specialized
9.2

Feels thick, sticky, and slippery like the mucus the body makes

focuses more on relation or production rather than mere texture
myxoid
vsmucous
  • Specialized
9.9

Tissue that is soft and jelly-like, similar to mucus

refers broadly to tissues producing or covered with mucus
mucinous
vsmucous
  • Specialized
9.7

Containing a thick, slippery material like mucus

is broader, applying to mucus presence or relation rather than a protein

Compounds

mucous membrane
  • Specialized
3 4.6

A moist inner layer lining body openings that makes sticky fluid to protect and keep them wet

mucous colitis
  • Archaic
5.0

A condition causing belly pain and diarrhea or constipation often worse during stress

mucous secretion
  • Specialized
5.2

A wet fluid that protects and keeps the inside of the nose, throat, and gut moist

How Mucous

mucous
  • Specialized
8 6.8
mucoserous
  • Specialized
9.9
serous
  • Specialized
1 9.2

Surface Forms

mucous positive

Morphology

mucous = mucus (transparent) = mucus + ous

Standard adjective formation from the noun 'mucus' using the productive suffix '-ous' meaning 'relating to or characterized by'.

Etymology

The word mucous comes from the Latin root mucus, meaning 'mucus' or 'slime'. So mucous describes tissues or glands that make or are covered with that slippery substance, like the mucous lining of your nose that keeps it moist and protects you.