Phlegm stuck in throat for months
- how is phlegm produced
- how is phlegm produced in the body
- how is phlegm produced in the lungs
- how is cough produced
What is phlegm made of!
Mucus: Where does it come from and how does it form?
The tissues lining the airways, nose, sinuses, and mouth contain two primary cell types: secretory cells, which release the components of mucus, and ciliated cells.
These are covered with tiny hair-like projections called cilia.
Mucus is mostly water and a gel-forming molecule called mucin.
Special secretory cells called goblet cells are the predominant producers and releasers of mucin.
How much mucus can the body produce when sick
A goblet cell is shaped like a medieval goblet, and it is not covered with cilia.
Goblet cells and other secretory cells also release a range of proteins, salts, fats, and immune molecules that mix with mucin and are incorporated into mucus.
Submucosal glands, found in the airways, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract, also produce and release mucin and mucus.
Ciliated cells use their tiny projections to move mucus throughout the body.
The cilia move in a way that creates a unified pulse, pushing mucus along in waves.
Infections and irritants
When the airways are exposed to irritants, goblet cells and submucosal glands prod
- how is cough produced in our body
- how is mucus produced in the nose