Mucus is produced by the body to prevent and fight infection, as a lubricant, and for reproductive functions. It contains carbohydrates, salts, and proteins, including antibodies and antiseptic enzymes. The respiratory system produces the most mucus, which traps particles and moisturizes inhaled air. The digestive system also produces mucus for lubrication and protection from stomach acid. The female reproductive system uses mucus to regulate its cycle, while the male reproductive system produces it with sperm. The average body produces over 4 cups of mucus daily.
The body produces mucus because the substance has characteristics that help it prevent and fight infection. The body also uses it as a catalyst for some reproductive functions and as a lubricant. The water-based liquid contains carbohydrates, salts and proteins, all of which are needed by multiple organ systems. The primary proteins are encapsulated in a sugary substance that allows them to absorb large amounts of water, which produce the mucus-moisturizing properties on which the body depends for homeostasis. Some proteins are antibodies that activate the body’s immune system when a foreign invader is detected. Other proteins are antiseptic enzymes that kill the invader as soon as it comes into contact with the phlegm.
The average body produces over 4 cups (1 liter) of mucus every day. Most of it is produced by the respiratory system, where it serves a variety of purposes. As air enters the nasal passages, the mucus traps larger particles that would block the narrow airways. If any of the particles trapped in the phlegm are pathogenic, the antiseptic and antibiotic properties work to kill bacteria, viruses or fungi. It also helps moisturize the inhaled air, which prevents the body’s membranes from drying out due to breathing.
Mucus also functions as the body’s most abundant lubricant. After the particles become trapped during breathing, the body pushes the lubricated substance, via small moving hairs called cilia, towards the stomach. In the stomach, the acid can complete the process of killing any pathogens that may be infecting healthy cells. The cells of the digestive system also produce a large amount of mucus which is used as a lubricant to help push food through the esophagus. The stomach lining also requires a lubricating layer, because while the acid is good for killing infectious particles, if it’s not properly protected, it will also eat away at the cells that make up the lining.
The female reproductive system relies on mucus to help regulate its cycle. During ovulation, the substance produced is clear and liquid. The aqueous lubricant promotes the reception and fertilization of sperm. After ovulation, it becomes thicker and this substance, which also contains more antibiotic proteins, can prevent sperm from traveling beyond the vagina, preventing fertilization. The male reproductive system produces it along with sperm through the seminal vesicles, and this mucus contains carbohydrates and sugars that nourish sperm throughout its life cycle.
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