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Answered Question

offthedom...

January 08, 2009 02:35 AM

Why is phlegm sticky?

It's easy to check what makes it sticky, but our body could have easily made phlegm non-sticky and non-adhesive. I want to know why the body chooses to make it sticky. Why is phlegm sticky?

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Best Answer Chosen by Asker

ssweetkitt...

January 09, 2009 12:22 AM

Sticky mucus traps small particles that are inhaled through the mouth and nose and washes them down the throat via tiny cilia (small hairs) before they ever have a chance to get into the lungs. The body makes it sticky so the harmful particles get stuck in it. The sticky phlegm also makes it more difficult for you to breath when you are sick, making you have that coughing feeling, expelling the phlegm and bacteria/ virus with it. It's your body's natural "fly trap" for pests such as harmful bacteria.

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• No sources, but probably correct.

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