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Related Concept Videos

Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Exocrine Glands: Types of Secretions01:13

Exocrine Glands: Types of Secretions

Exocrine glands produce and release a variety of glandular products. Exocrine glands can be classified into serous, mucous, or mixed types based on their secretory products.
Serous glands produce watery secretions rich in digestive enzymes and proteins. The constituent cells of the serous gland have centrally located nuclei and eosinophilic secretory granules in the cytoplasm. The parotid gland is an example of a serous gland. It secretes saliva, which contains enzymes, such as lipases and...
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:16

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Tissue Membranes01:27

Tissue Membranes

A tissue membrane is a thin layer of cells that covers the outside of the body, the organs, internal passageways that lead to the exterior of the body, and the lining of the moveable joint cavities. There are two basic types of tissue membranes— connective tissue and epithelial membranes.
Connective Tissue Membranes
The connective tissue membrane is formed solely from connective tissue. These membranes encapsulate organs, such as the kidneys, and line our movable joints. A synovial membrane is...
Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach01:25

Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach

The gastric glands contain parietal cells that secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) for digestion. The cells secrete HCl because it is highly corrosive and essential for breaking down food. To achieve this, they secrete hydrogen and chloride ions into the lumen of the gastric glands, which combine to form HCl.
Within parietal cells, carbonic acid is first formed through the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The dissociation of carbonic acid releases bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Mucin Agarose Gel Electrophoresis: Western Blotting for High-molecular-weight Glycoproteins
09:24

Mucin Agarose Gel Electrophoresis: Western Blotting for High-molecular-weight Glycoproteins

Published on: June 14, 2016

Mucus and mucins.

Bruce K Rubin1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. brubin@vcu.edu

Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America
|February 23, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Coughing is a vital protective reflex in chronic lung disease. Enhancing cough effectiveness, rather than suppressing it, may be key for managing mucus clearance disorders and improving patient outcomes.

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Using Unfixed, Frozen Tissues to Study Natural Mucin Distribution

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Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Mucin Agarose Gel Electrophoresis: Western Blotting for High-molecular-weight Glycoproteins
09:24

Mucin Agarose Gel Electrophoresis: Western Blotting for High-molecular-weight Glycoproteins

Published on: June 14, 2016

Three-dimensional Quantification of Intestinal Mucus Using Whole-mount Tissue Imaging
05:10

Three-dimensional Quantification of Intestinal Mucus Using Whole-mount Tissue Imaging

Published on: September 12, 2025

Using Unfixed, Frozen Tissues to Study Natural Mucin Distribution
11:39

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Published on: September 21, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chronic lung diseases often involve mucus accumulation, impairing lung function.
  • Mucoactive medications are frequently prescribed to manage mucus in these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss mucus composition and clearance mechanisms.
  • To review current and emerging therapies for mucus clearance disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of mucus composition, mucin secretion, and mucus clearance.
  • Analysis of current and investigational mucoactive medications.

Main Results:

  • Cough is a critical protective mechanism in lung disease.
  • Improving cough effectiveness may be more beneficial than suppression.

Conclusions:

  • Therapeutic strategies should focus on optimizing cough function for mucus clearance.
  • Further research into mucolytics is needed for mucus clearance disorders.