What is the Difference Between Mucus and Mucous?

The main difference between mucus and mucous lies in their grammatical functions. Mucus is a noun, while mucous is an adjective. Here's a breakdown of their usage:

• Mucus: This is the actual fluid secreted by mucous membranes in the body, often refers to the slimy substance that comes out of the nose when you are congested.
• Mucous: This term is used to describe certain membranes in the body, such as mucous membranes, which secrete the fluid we call mucus. Mucous also refers to something that is of the nature of or resembling mucus.

Here are some examples to illustrate the proper usage of each term:

• Mucus: "Because Callie did not cover her mouth when she sneezed, mucus flew into Shaw’s hair.".
• Mucous: "Dani had an infection in all her mucous membranes.".

Remember, mucus is a noun secreted by mucous membranes, and mucous is an adjective that describes those membranes or something related to mucus.

Comparative Table: Mucus vs Mucous

Here is a table highlighting the difference between mucus and mucous:

In summary, mucus is the slimy substance produced by mucous membranes, while mucous is an adjective used to describe the membranes or structures that produce and secrete mucus.