seromucine

Seromucine is a term encountered in medical literature that is used to describe a substance or tissue containing both serous (protein-rich) and mucous (glycoprotein-rich) components. It is not a single chemical compound and has no universally agreed formal definition. The term is more often encountered as a descriptor for glands or secretions that mix serous and mucous characteristics.

In physiology and histology, seromucine commonly refers to mixed seromucous glands such as the submandibular gland in mammals, whose acini include both serous and mucous cells or serous demilune cells that cap mucous cells, producing a mixed secretion.

In pathology, "seromucinous" is used to describe lesions or tumors with a combination of serous and mucinous features. For example, seromucinous tumors in ovarian or endocervical-type mucinous differentiation have been described; the exact terminology may vary by classification system and author. It is important to distinguish "seromucinous" (mixed) from purely serous or purely mucinous categories.

Because the term is not a standardized chemical or product name, its meaning should be inferred from context, and one should consult specific sources or classifications to understand the intended use.