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Phlegm
Phlegm Mucus, especially mucus produced by the lungs during inflammation or infection.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Mucus
A substance secreted by various tissues in the body (the mucous membranes) made up of water, mucin (a glycoprotein), salts, and some cells. In the lungs, mucus serves to lubricate the insides of the airways and to trap inhaled foreign particles so that they can be coughed out. In asthma, however, an excess of mucus is produced and can actually block airways. Mucus also tends to be thicker and more viscous in asthmatics.
Lungs
The main respiratory organs in the chest where blood is oxygenated.
Inflammation
A reaction to an injury to the body - by infection, chemicals or physical agents. The symptoms can be - depending on the location of the injury- redness, swelling, heat and pain. The purpose of the inflammation is to dilute and destroy the agent causing the inflammation. To do this, the immune system starts a cascade of actions that causes active cells to gather at the affected location. It is these cells and fluids that cause the redness, swelling, heat and pain.
Infection
Anything that invades the body and reproduces. Infections can be bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Bacteria and fungi are one celled creatures that cause many infections including strep throat, bladder infections, and some lung infections. Fungi cause “athlete’s foot” and thrush, an infection in the mouth. Protozoa are small organisms with many cells that can cause infections in the guts or in the lungs. Most healthy people do not get protozoal infections, but people with suppressed immune systems can. Viruses are not really organisms; they are tiny particles that can live only inside another cell. They reproduce by taking over a cell and causing that cell to make more virus particles, rather than doing what the cell is supposed to do. Viruses cause most colds and flu cases.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Phlebitis
Inflammation of the vein.
Phlebotomy
Withdrawal of blood from a vein.
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Petit mal
A mild seizure with a momentary loss of consciousness.
Phagomania
An obsession with eating.
Pharmacist
A person licensed to mix and dispense drugs.
Phenylalanine
An essential amino acid occurring in proteins. A small amount of phenylalanine is necessary in the diet to make the proteins that form human tissues.
Phlebotomy
Withdrawal of blood from a vein.
Phlegm
Phonation
Making vocal sounds.
Physician
A doctor. An authorized practitioner of medicine.
Physiology
The branch of medicine that deals with the function of the various parts of the living organism.
Pigeon toe
A foot condition where the toes turn in.
Piles
See hemorrhoids.
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