What is another name for earwax?

Cerumen is the medical term for earwax, which is a natural substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It serves important functions, including protecting the ear from dust, debris, and microorganisms, as well as providing lubrication to prevent dryness and itching. The composition of cerumen consists of a mix of secretions from the sebaceous and ceruminous glands, along with sloughed-off skin cells and environmental debris. This unique combination helps to maintain ear health by trapping foreign particles and facilitating their removal from the ear canal. Understanding the role and composition of cerumen is crucial for anyone involved in hearing health, as it plays a significant role in ear hygiene and function.

The other terms mentioned, such as secretion and exudate, refer more generally to substances that are produced by glands or as fluid that has seeped out of blood vessels, but they do not specifically denote earwax. Waxol, while it may sound related to earwax, is not a recognized term in medical literature for cerumen. Hence, cerumen is the most accurate and widely accepted term for earwax.