The bronchus in the lungs are lined with hair-like projections called cilia that move microbes and debris up and out of the airways. Scattered throughout the cilia are goblet cells that secrete mucus which helps protect the lining of the bronchus and trap microorganisms.

Cilia are mobile, tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of airway cells. Cilia line the airways and help move mucus up and out of the lungs [5].

The trachea is lined with a moist mucous-membrane layer composed of cells containing small hairlike projections called cilia. The cilia project into the channel (lumen) of the trachea to trap particles. There are also cells and ducts in the mucous membrane that secrete mucus droplets and water molecules.

Cilia within the trachea trap foreign particles such as bacteria and viruses. The cilia displace the harmful foreign particles inhaled along with the air up to the pharynx where it’s either coughed out or swallowed into the alimentary canal.

The respiratory system is lined with a mucous membrane that secretes mucus. The mucus traps smaller particles like pollen or smoke. Hairlike structures called cilia line the mucous membrane and move the particles trapped in the mucus out of the nose.

Mucus is secreted from two distinct areas within the lung tissue. In the surface epithelium, which is part of the tissue lining of the airways, there are mucus-producing cells called goblet cells. The connective tissue layer beneath the mucosal epithelium contains seromucous glands which also produce mucus.

Large numbers of mucous cells occur in the mouth, where mucus is used both to moisten food and to keep the oral membranes moist while they are in direct contact with the air. Mucus in the nose helps to trap dust, bacteria, and other small inhaled particles. The stomach also has large numbers of mucous cells.

Mucus is a complex hydrogel. The main constituents of the mucus are proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, antibodies, salts, bacteria, and cellular debris (Cone, 2009).

Mucus is a thinner secretion from your nose and sinuses. Phlegm is thicker and is made by your throat and lungs.

It may be yellow, green, or have a reddish or brownish tinge to it. What do those colors mean? You might have heard that yellow or green mucus is a clear sign that you have an infection, but despite that common misperception, the yellow or green hue isn’t due to bacteria.

What is another word for mucus?

Sputum is not saliva but the thick mucus – sometimes called phlegm – which is coughed up from the lungs. Sometimes, such as when there is an infection in the lungs, an excess of mucus is produced.

Mucus symptoms may accompany other symptoms affecting the respiratory system including:

• Cough.
• Cough that gets more severe over time.
• Coughing up clear, yellow, light brown, or green mucus.
• Rapid breathing (tachypnea) or shortness of breath.
• Runny nose (nasal congestion)
• Shortness of breath.
• Sneezing.
• Sore throat.

Infectious diseases, such as the common cold, flu, strep throat, and sinusitis, can cause other symptoms that occur with phlegm symptoms including:

• Cough.
• Fatigue.
• Fever with or without chills and sweats.
• Headache.
• Muscle aches.
• Nausea and loss of appetite.
• Runny or stuffy nose, often with green or yellow discharge.
• Sneezing.

You can try products like guaifenesin (Mucinex) that thin mucus so it won’t sit in the back of your throat or your chest. This type of medication is called an expectorant, which means it helps you to expel mucus by thinning and loosening it.

Producing mucus is one of your body’s methods of protecting your respiratory system. When there is an accumulation of mucus, you tend to cough it up. Although the cause is often a response to a viral infection or an allergy, coughing up mucus could be an indication of a bacterial infection.

White/Clear: This is the normal colour of phlegm. phlegm may be brownish in colour. have an active chest infection. This means that a visit to your GP would be advisable as antibiotics and/or steroids may be needed.

Your body naturally makes mucus every day, and its presence isn’t necessarily a sign of anything unhealthy. Mucus, also known as phlegm when it’s produced by your respiratory system, lines the tissues of your body (such as your nose, mouth, throat, and lungs), and it helps protect you from infection.

Pink, Red or Bloody Phlegm If you’re coughing up red, pink or bloody phlegm, you should be seen by your provider. It could be related to an infection or to cancer in some cases. If you’re a smoker and you’re coughing up blood, it is worrisome.

If your snot turns green, it means your immune system is working very hard to fight the infection. This is often accompanied by snot becoming very thick. It can be a sign of a sinus infection or more serious bacterial infection. Pink/Red: Pink or red snot usually points to some sort of injury or nasal trauma.

Cloudy or white mucus is a sign of a cold. Yellow or green mucus is a sign of a bacterial infection. Brown or orange mucus is sign of dried red blood cells and inflammation (aka a dry nose).

Most people breathe better when sleeping on their side. According to one study, around 68 percent of people with sleep apnea breathe much better when not on their back. The reason is simple: gravity. Side-sleeping has long been known as the best sleeping position for breathing and to protect the airway from collapse.