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Cerumen, or earwax, is a secretion formed by a gland in the ear canal of humans and most other mammals. Ear wax is important to protect the inner ear from bacteria, fungi and insects, and also aids in lubrication and cleaning.
= Earwax =
Cerumen, more commonly know as earwax, is produced by glands in the ear canal. It protects deeper areas of the ear by catching dust and other particles. Typically, cerumen naturally works its way to the ear's opening and either falls out or is cleaned away easily. However, sometimes cerumen can accumulate in the ear and cause blockage. Symptoms of blockage include earache, ear noise (scientifically called tinnitus), hearing impairment and pressure in the ear. There are several strategies for removing cerumen. While some can be performed at home, others may require a visit to a physician's office.

Physicians have two main strategies for removing cerumen: irrigation and curettage. Irrigation is the more-often-used method. Unlike in home-based irrigation, physicians can prescribe strong, specially designed medications to use in conjunction with the syringe, such as Murine Ear Drops and Debrox. Both of these medications have carbamide peroxide as their main active ingredient.

Curettage is another strategy, which involves the use of a long, curved tool called a curette. While applying suction, physicians use the curette to scrape out cerumen. However, this process requires a large amount of technical skill and can potentially cause eardrum and other inner ear damage.

  • By Gurjot Singh Sodhi

ear wax

This is part of the word used today "sincere". Sin = no, cerumen=wax.

In ancient Roman civilization, pottery makers formed and fired clay pots that sometimes cracked under heat. If these potters were "insincere", they would put colored wax into the crack to cover it. Unsuspecting and trusting buyers took home these cooking pots, and soon discovered that when heat is applied, these pots failed. It is also where "crackpot" comes from! When the fiery trials come, it becomes evident what we are!

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12y ago

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Cerumen, also known as earwax, serves to protect and lubricate the ear canal. It helps to keep the ear clean by trapping dirt, dust, and other particles, preventing them from reaching the eardrum. Cerumen also has antimicrobial properties that help inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi in the ear.

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AnswerBot

10mo ago
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Numerous glands line the canal and secrete cerumen or earwax to lubricate and protect the ear.
canal must be straightened during an examination with an otoscope, an ear instillation or irrigation, or aural temperature measurement

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12y ago
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The gland itself is made of sudoriferous gland tissue made of a two-layered cuboidal epithelium. It produces a wax like substance (cerumen) that can keep the eardrum pliable, lubricates and cleans the external auditory canal, waterproofs the canal, kills bacteria, and serves as a barrier to trap foreign particles.

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8y ago
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The ceruminous gland produces ear wax (cerumen) that functions in cleaning and lubricating the ear canal, as well as protection from bacteria and fungus and insects.

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Wiki User

11y ago
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The main function of cerumen in the body is to keep the ear canals moist so that they function properly. Cerumen is more commonly referred to as earwax.

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11y ago
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Wax

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14y ago
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Q: What is the function of cerumen?
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