Mucus is a clear, slippery, gel-like substance that’s part of your immune system. It lines your mucous membranes and helps trap and destroy or clear out germs and harmful particles. It’s also called phlegm, snot or sputum. Phlegm is a viscous, gel-like substance produced by the respiratory system as a response to infections, allergies, or irritants. It serves as a crucial defense mechanism, trapping foreign particles and pathogens to prevent them from entering deeper into the lungs. The color, consistency, and quantity of phlegm can provide valuable insights into the underlying causes and conditions affecting the respiratory system. Mucus and phlegm are substances that protect the respiratory system from harmful particles. Here we will explain what are mucus and phlegm, and snot color. The meaning of PHLEGM is viscid mucus secreted in abnormal quantity in the respiratory passages. How to use phlegm in a sentence.