Pus

Definition
noun
A viscous exudate formed and discharged from an inflamed tissue as an end-result of suppuration
Supplement
Pus is an end-result of suppuration. It may vary in color: yellowish, greenish, or brownish hue. The color may depend on the causative agent of the infection.
1 Unlike other exudates, pus is viscous because of its components. It consists of leukocytes (especially polymorphonuclear leukocytes), dead pyogenic bacteria, and necrotic cellular debris or tissue elements.
Suppuration is the process of forming a pus in the inflamed tissue. However, suppuration may also refer to the pus itself. Pus forms when infective microorganisms (e.g. pyogenic bacteria) enter and invade the tissue and this leads to series of events that trigger the immune action of leukocytes. Chemical messengers are released into the bloodstream, which activate leukocytes to move into the site of infection. Pus is in fact the result of the immune response of the body through leukocytes attempting to remove the infective microorganisms and the affected cells of an injured tissue.
Word origin: Latin pūs, related to Greek puon (pus)
Synonym(s):

See also:

  • exudate
  • inflammation
  • Related term(s):

    • blue pus
    • blue pus bacillus
    • cheesy pus
    • curdy pus
    • green pus
    • ichorous pus
    • laudable pus
    • pus basin
    • pus cell
    • pus corpuscle
    • pus tube
    • sanious pus

    Reference(s):

    1White, L., Duncan, G., & Baumle, W. (2010). Foundations of Adult Health Nursing. NY: Cengage Learning.


    You will also like...

    river
    Running Water Freshwater Communities

    This tutorial introduces flowing water communities, which bring new and dithering factors into the equation for possible..

    Cambial cells
    Plant Tissues

    Plant organs are comprised of tissues working together for a common function. The different types of plant tissues are m..

    Psychiatry and mental disorders
    Psychiatry & Mental Disorders

    Different mental disorders are described here. Read this tutorial to get an overview of schizophrenia, affective mood di..

    Regulation of Biological Systems
    Regulation of Biological Systems

    Regulation of Biological Systems tutorials are focused on the modulation of biological systems from cell to population l..

    bryophyte - sporophyte and gametophyte
    Meiosis and Alternation of Generations

    Plants are characterized by having alternation of generations in their life cycles. This tutorial is a review of plant m..

    The Human Physiology
    The Human Physiology

    Physiology is the study of how living organisms function. Thus, human physiology deals specifically with the physiologic..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics