What is another name for earwax?

The term "cerumen" is the medical name for earwax, which is a yellowish, waxy substance produced in the ear canal. Cerumen plays an important role in protecting the ear by trapping dust, debris, and microorganisms, thereby helping to keep the ear free from infections. The secretion is produced by ceruminous glands in the outer ear and has both lubricating and antibacterial properties.

While "waxy cerumen" is a descriptive term that relates to the same substance, it is not the formal name. "Exudate" can refer to any fluid that has escaped from blood vessels into tissues, often in response to inflammation, and does not specifically refer to earwax. "Sebum" is an oily substance produced by sebaceous glands in the skin, and although related to body secretions, it is distinct from cerumen. Therefore, cerumen is the correct scientific term for earwax, distinguishing it from other types of bodily secretions.