Mucus versus mucous
Posted By: skylineduo on 2006-01-31
In Reply to: mucus - me
Subject: Mucus versus mucous
I had a doc tell me when I first starting transcribing years ago that MUCUS is the noun (Dorlands calls it the 'free slime of the mucous membrane ) and mucous is the adjective (Dorlands again - pertaining or relating to mucus.
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Mucous versus mucus?
Subject: Mucous versus mucus?
I have a serious question about the difference between the spellings of mucous and mucus. Both are words. QA sometimes frowns on the use of mucous (wanting mucus), but I found mucous in the client samples. What is the difference? Can someone tell me when I should use one spelling as apposed to the other and/or which is correct and which is not?
Thank you in advance.
Mucus versus mucous
Subject: Mucus versus mucous
Down below there was a question about how mucous plug should be written. This is not an either/or question. There is a right and wrong, if you remember your sixth grade grammar.
Mucus is a noun (a person, place, or thing).
Mucous is an adjective (describes a noun).
It's cut and dry. Very simple. Mucous describes the plug. It could be a cork plug, gum plug, dyke plug, cement plus. All are adjectives describing the noun "plug."
If you need a refresher, let me share my Schoolhouse Rock from the 70s.
NOUNS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2iLAI0gUW0
ADJECTIVES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j347DjSve0
Mucus versus mucous
Subject: Mucus versus mucous
Teardrop, I cannot believe you would be so high and mighty to someone asking for help. Sure hope you are not a supervisor and someone asking for help from you personally.
is it mucus or mucous from the eye? thank you
Subject: is it mucus or mucous from the eye? thank you
Mucous or mucus?
Subject: Mucous or mucus?
This one always confuses me. Patient has a mucus retenion cyst. I have found both mucous and mucus in this case. I know that mucous is an adj. Thanks in advance for all your help!
mucus/mucous
Subject: mucus/mucous
Mucus is the noun form.
She coughed up mucus.
Mucous is the adjective form. (mucous lake)
mucous membrane
The mucous discharge is of concern.
Coombs test - no apos.
mucus/mucous
Subject: mucus/mucous
I'm losing it today! Mucus/mucous plugging and mucus/mucous impaction - help!
mucus/mucous
Subject: mucus/mucous
Mucus retention cyst
Mucous retnetion cyst
mucus-retention cyst
mucous-retention cyst
??
Pet Peeve Mucus vs. Mucous
Subject: Pet Peeve Mucus vs. Mucous
Now I think I'm right but I'm being told I'm wrong. Second opinion please....
A mucous cyst is a retention cyst that contains mucus
Mucous is the structure, mucus is the goo. :-) (nm)
Subject: Mucous is the structure, mucus is the goo. :-) (nm)
x
mucous is adjective, mucus is noun
Subject: mucous is adjective, mucus is noun
mucous plug: a mass of mucus and cells filling the cervical canal between periods or during pregnancy
mu·cous (myū'kəs) pronunciation
adj.
1. Containing, producing, or secreting mucus: a mucous tissue.
2. Relating to, consisting of, or resembling mucus: a mucous substance.
mu·cus (myū'kəs) pronunciation
n.
The viscous, slippery substance that consists chiefly of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and is secreted as a protective lubricant coating by cells and glands of the mucous membranes.
mucus is a noun and mucous is an adjective nm
Subject: mucus is a noun and mucous is an adjective nm
nm
Mucus is a noun, mucous is the adjective.
Subject: Mucus is a noun, mucous is the adjective.
x
It's similar to mucus/mucous. ous is an adjective, us the noun, sm
Subject: It's similar to mucus/mucous. ous is an adjective, us the noun, sm
So you would have callous tissue as callous is the adjective modifying tissue.
Mucus is the noun, mucous is the adjective. That's how I remember. Just like in your example...
Subject: Mucus is the noun, mucous is the adjective. That's how I remember. Just like in your example...
mucous cyst - cyst containing mucus.
In Stedman's it's mucus plug and mucous plugging.nm
Subject: In Stedman's it's mucus plug and mucous plugging.nm
nm
funny...we just got a tip on this..which said to use mucus in that case and mucous membranes for the
Subject: funny...we just got a tip on this..which said to use mucus in that case and mucous membranes for the other. NM
xxx
One is Latin (mucous) which is the adjective and one is French (mucus) which is a noun.
Subject: One is Latin (mucous) which is the adjective and one is French (mucus) which is a noun.
Since this is descriptive of the retention cyst, it would then, in my opinion, be mucous (adjective)
Understand, just stating mucus for vagina, mucous for lung
Subject: Understand, just stating mucus for vagina, mucous for lung
Teardrop is correct, mucus = noun, mucous = adjective
Subject: Teardrop is correct, mucus = noun, mucous = adjective
I was not arguing *mucus/mucous plug*. I was arguing the use of
Subject: I was not arguing *mucus/mucous plug*. I was arguing the use of
mucus being for vagina and mucous for lung. Mucus is the noun (period). Mucous is the adjective (period). It doesn't matter where in the body these are used.
mucus plugging or mucous plugging
Subject: mucus plugging or mucous plugging
I'm typing a bronchoscopy report and have always typed mucus plugging, but looking back at old reports I see that some people have it as mucous plugging. Just want to correct myself if I am doing it wrong.
mucus plug or mucous plug??
Subject: mucus plug or mucous plug??
Help, I am drawing a blank on how to tell which to use!!
mucus plug or mucous plug?
Subject: mucus plug or mucous plug?
Which way is correct? I tend to go with mucous plug because the plug is the noun and mucous is the adjective. Is that right?
mucus plug or mucous plug?
Subject: mucus plug or mucous plug?
You are correct. Like mucous membrane.
mucus plug or mucous plug?
Subject: mucus plug or mucous plug?
x
mucous
Subject: mucous
Mucous is the correct adjective form. Don't add y. Mucousy and mucusy are not words found in any dictionary.
mucous plug
Subject: mucous plug
stedman's has mucous plug
Mucous when used as an adjective, e.g.,
Subject: Mucous when used as an adjective, e.g.,
mucous plug. When used as a noun it is mucus, e.g., "The patient has mucus from her nose."
Mucous plug, because...
Subject: Mucous plug, because...
It is plugging the cervical mucosa. The mucous plug is a thick plug of mucus that blocks the cervical opening.
dame of mucous membranes?
Subject: dame of mucous membranes?
Dr. says: The sclerae and conjunctivae are unremarkable. TMs are unremarkable. The nose shows a mild degree of hyperemia at the (s/l dame) of the mucous membranes. The patient’s oropharynx shows no significant pathology. Mucous membranes are moist.
What is dame? Could not find this word anywhere. Any help 
mucus
Subject: mucus
mucous refers to the membrane
mucus for me
Subject: mucus for me
Confuses me too unless it is cleary a noun. For me in this instance it seems to be a noun since it is telling you what is being retained in the cyst.
probably mucus
Subject: probably mucus
It could be mucus....sm
Subject: It could be mucus....sm
like hairpeice - it doesn't have to be hairy peice. or ice cube...it is ice in the shape of a cube...it doesn't have to be icy cube.
mucus...sm
Subject: mucus...sm
mucus is the actual stuff secreted.
mucous is more like covered with mucus as with the membranes.
could be pus, mucus...
Subject: could be pus, mucus...
Maybe mucositis, painful inflammation of the mucous tract
Subject: Maybe mucositis, painful inflammation of the mucous tract
s
Agree with MT50 that is is mucous retention cyst.
Subject: Agree with MT50 that is is mucous retention cyst.
I believe it is mucous because it is describing the type of cyst. See inside.
Subject: I believe it is mucous because it is describing the type of cyst. See inside.
A mucous retention cyst is a cyst caused by an obstruction of a duct, usually belonging to the parotid gland or a minor salivary gland.
mucus plugging
Regarding mucus/mucous plugging....Maybe this will clear things up:
MUCUS: Mucus is secreted by the mucous membranes. It helps to moisten, warm, and filter the air as it enters the nose. Notice, the different spellings of mucus and mucous. Mucous is the name of the tissue; mucus is the secretion that flows from the tissue.
Therefore, in my opinion, I would type mucus plugging....Even though it is being used as an adjective, the mucus is what is plugging up the works, not the mucous membrane tissue.
Mucus lake or
Subject: Mucus lake or
mucous lake?
Coombs test or Coombs' test?
Thanks for your help!
I think this is an either/or, webmd has it mucus,
Subject: I think this is an either/or, webmd has it mucus,
Stedman's has it mucous. I googled it and multiple medical sites have it both ways, so who knows??
If mucus is teh nound and
Subject: If mucus is teh nound and
If mucus is the noun and
Subject: If mucus is the noun and
mucous is the adjective, then it has to be
mucous plugging
and
mucous impaction
Right?
mucous (adjective) describes type of plug (noun)
Subject: mucous (adjective) describes type of plug (noun)
nm
nasal...insipated mucus ?
Subject: nasal...insipated mucus ?
maybe i'm brain dead this morning, maybe he makes it up?
sinus with very dry, (empusated) mucus
Subject: sinus with very dry, (empusated) mucus
piriform sinus with very dry, (empusated) mucus
Thx!
mucus-retention cyst
Subject: mucus-retention cyst
mucus is a noun. Mucous is an adjective. :-)
Spin barkite type mucus?
Subject: Spin barkite type mucus?
On speculum exam, the cervix is smooth and pink, without lesions or discharge. The IUD strings are seen curled up in the os about 2 cm long. There is a moderate to large amount of _____ type mucus. The vaginal walls are pink with a small amount of creamy vaginal discharge.
Blank s/l spin or maybe thin barkite
For many years she has had loose, mucus-like stools. nm
Subject: For many years she has had loose, mucus-like stools. nm
x
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