expectorant

expectorant
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]

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ex·pec·to·rant ik-'spek-t(ə-)rənt adj having the activity of an expectorant
expectorant n an agent that promotes the discharge or expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract broadly ANTITUSSIVE

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n.
a drug that enhances the secretion of sputum by the air passages so that it is easier to cough up. Expectorants are used in cough mixtures; they act by increasing the bronchial secretion or make it less viscous (see mucolytic). Drugs such as ipecacuanha are stimulant expectorants in small quantities: they irritate the lining of the stomach, which provides a stimulus for the reflex production of sputum by the glands in the bronchial mucous membrane. At higher doses they produce vomiting.

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ex·pec·to·rant (ek-spekґtə-rənt) [ex- + L. pectus breast] 1. promoting the ejection, by spitting, of mucus or other fluids from the lungs and trachea. 2. an agent that promotes the ejection of mucus or exudate from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea; sometimes extended to all remedies that quiet cough (antitussives).

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • expectorant — expectorant, ante [ ɛkspɛktɔrɑ̃, ɑ̃t ] adj. • 1752; de expectorer ♦ Qui aide à expectorer. Sirop expectorant. ⇒ fluidifiant. Subst. Un expectorant. ● expectorant, expectorante adjectif expectorant nom masculin Fluidifiant bronchique facilitant l… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • expectorant — EXPECTORÁNT, Ă, expectoranţi, te, adj., s.n. (Medicament, substanţă) care uşurează expectoraţia (2). – Din fr. expectorant. Trimis de claudia, 13.09.2007. Sursa: DEX 98  expectoránt adj. m., pl. expectoránţi; f …   Dicționar Român

  • Expectorant — Ex*pec to*rant, a. [L. expectorans, p. pr. of expectorare to drive from the breast: cf. F. expectorant.] (Med.) Tending to facilitate expectoration or to promote discharges of mucus, etc., from the lungs or throat. n. An expectorant medicine.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • expectorant — expectorant, ante (èk spè kto ran, ran t ) adj. Qui facilite l expectoration.    Substantivement, Un bon expectorant …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • expectorant — [ek spek′tə rənt, ikspek′tə rənt] adj. [L expectorans, prp. of expectorare: see EXPECTORATE] causing or easing the bringing up of phlegm, mucus, etc. from the respiratory tract n. an expectorant medicine …   English World dictionary

  • expectorant — 1782 (n.), 1811 (adj.), from L. expectorantem (nom. expectorans), prp. of expectorare (see EXPECTORATE (Cf. expectorate)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • expectorant — ► NOUN ▪ a medicine which promotes the secretion of sputum by the air passages, used to treat coughs …   English terms dictionary

  • Expectorant — Un expectorant est un médicament ou une herbe qui augmente l expulsion du mucus de la trachée ou des bronches par de l expectoration ou de la toux. Expectorants végétaux Anis (Pimpinella anisum), Ail (Allium sativum), Asclepias tuberosa, Baume du …   Wikipédia en Français

  • expectorant — /ik spek teuhr euhnt/, Med., Pharm. adj. 1. promoting the discharge of phlegm or other fluid from the respiratory tract. n. 2. an expectorant medicine. [1775 85; < L expectorant (s. of expectorans), prp. of expectorare to EXPECTORATE; see ANT] *… …   Universalium

  • expectorant — UK [ɪkˈspektərənt] / US [ɪkˈspekt(ə)rənt] noun [countable] Word forms expectorant : singular expectorant plural expectorants medical a medicine that you use for helping you to cough liquid up from your lungs …   English dictionary

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