expectorant

ex·pec·to·rant

E0284000 (ĭk-spĕk′tər-ənt)adj. Promoting or facilitating the secretion or expulsion of phlegm, mucus, or other matter from the respiratory tract.n. An expectorant medicine.

expectorant

(ɪkˈspɛktərənt) medadj (Medicine) promoting the secretion, liquefaction, or expulsion of sputum from the respiratory passagesn (Medicine) an expectorant drug or agent

ex•pec•to•rant

(ɪkˈspɛk tər ənt)

adj. 1. promoting the discharge of phlegm or other fluid from the respiratory tract. n. 2. an expectorant medicine. [1775–85; < Latin]

ex·pec·to·rant

(ĭk-spĕk′tər-ənt) A drug that helps discharge phlegm or mucus from the respiratory tract.

expectorant

any medicine that assists the coughing up of phlegm, mucus, etc., from the chest.See also: Remedies

Thesaurus

Noun

expectorant - a medicine promoting expectorationexpectoratormedicament, medication, medicinal drug, medicine - (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of diseaseRobitussin - trade name of an expectorant that loosens phlegm and makes it easier to cough up

Translations

expectorantespettorante

expectorant

Med1. promoting the secretion, liquefaction, or expulsion of sputum from the respiratory passages 2. an expectorant drug or agent

Expectorant

a medicinal substance that facilitates the expulsion of sputum by intensifying secretion in the bronchial glands or by liquefying the secretion. An expectorant can also work by stimulating contraction of the bronchial musculature.

The mode of action of an expectorant on the musculature and mucosa of the bronchi can be direct or reflexive. Direct-acting expectorants include terpin hydrate, potassium and sodium iodides, the essential oils of eucalyptus and anise, and turpentine. The active principles in essential oils—terpenes and aromatic hydrocarbons—stimulate the bronchial glands. These oils, which also have antiseptic and deodorant properties, can be ingested or inhaled. Sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride are mild expectorants that alter the viscosity of bronchialgland secretions by dissolving mucin. A more effective agent is the proteolytic enzyme trypsin, which decreases the viscosity of sputum by depolymerizing the constituent protein molecules.

Expectorants whose mode of action is reflexive are prepared from the medical plants Cephaelis ipecacuanha, Cephaelis acuminata, Thermopsis, and Polygala senega. The alkaloids and saponins in these plants stimulate the receptors of the gastric mucosa and reflexively intensify peristalsis of the smooth musculature of the bronchi as well as secretion from the bronchial glands.

Expectorants are used to treat bronchitis and other inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract that are accompanied by a cough with a viscous sputum that is difficult to expel.

REFERENCES

Votchal, B. E. Ocherki klinicheskoi farmakologii, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1965.
Zakusov, V. V. Farmakologii, 2nd ed. Moscow, 1966.
Mashkovskii, M. D. Lekarstvennye sredstva, 7th ed. Moscow, 1972. Parts 1–2.

V. V. CHURIUKANOV

expectorant

[ik′spek·tə·rənt] (pharmacology) Tending to promote expectoration. An agent that promotes expectoration.

expectorant

[ek-spek´to-rant] 1. promoting expectoration.2. an agent that so acts.liquefying expectorant an expectorant that promotes the ejection of mucus from the respiratory tract by decreasing its viscosity.

ex·pec·to·rant

(ek-spek'tō-rănt), 1. Promoting secretion from the mucous membrane of the air passages or facilitating its expulsion. 2. An agent that increases bronchial secretion and facilitates its expulsion. [L. ex, out, + pectus, chest]

expectorant

(ĭk-spĕk′tər-ənt)adj. Promoting or facilitating the secretion or expulsion of phlegm, mucus, or other matter from the respiratory tract.n. An expectorant medicine.

ex·pec·to·rant

(eks-pek'tŏr-ănt) 1. Promoting secretion from the mucous membrane of the air passages or facilitating its expulsion. 2. An agent (e.g., guaifenesin) that thins respiratory tract mucus and promotes its removal from the tracheobronchial passages. [L. ex, out, + pectus, chest]

Expectorant

Promotes the discharge of mucus from respiratory system.Mentioned in: Cough, St. John's Wort

ex·pec·to·rant

(eks-pek'tŏr-ănt) 1. Promoting secretion from the mucous membrane of the air passages or facilitating its expulsion. 2. An agent that increases bronchial secretion and facilitates its expulsion. [L. ex, out, + pectus, chest]

expectorant

ex·pec·to·rant

expectorant

ex•pec•to•rant

ex·pec·to·rant

expectorant

expectorant

expectorant

Expectorant

REFERENCES

expectorant

expectorant

expectorant

ex·pec·to·rant

expectorant

ex·pec·to·rant

Expectorant

ex·pec·to·rant

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Synonyms for expectorant

noun a medicine promoting expectoration

Synonyms

Related Words