For other meanings of paste see Paste (disambiguation)

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In physics, a paste is a substance that behaves as a solid until a sufficiently large load or stress is applied, at which point it flows like a fluid. In rheological terms, a paste is an example of a Bingham plastic fluid.

Pastes typically consist of a suspension of granular material in a background fluid. The individual grains are jammed together like sand on a beach, forming a disordered, glassy or amorphous structure, and giving pastes their solid-like character. It is this "jamming together" that gives pastes some of their most unusual properties; this causes paste to demonstrate properties of fragile matter.

In pharmacology, paste is basic pharmaceutical form. It consists of fatty base (e.g., petroleum jelly) and at least 25% solid substance (e.g., zinc oxide).

Examples include starch pastes, toothpaste, mustard, and putty.

[edit] See also

• Gel

v • d • e Route of administrations / Dosage forms Oral Enteral/ digestive tract Solids Capsule · Pill · Tablet · Orally disintegrating tablet · Film · OROS (osmotic controlled release capsule) Liquids Elixir · Emulsion · Syrup · Suspension · Tincture Respiratory tract Inhaler (Metered-dose, Dry powder) · Nebulizer Circulatory system Sublingual administration ENT Eye drop · Ear drop · Intranasal Transdermal Emulsion (Ointment · Cream · Lotion · Liniment · Gel · Paste · Film)  · Medicated shampoo · Transdermal implant · Transdermal patch Injection/parenteral Subcutaneous (SC) · Intravenous (IV) · Intramuscular (IM) · Intraosseous · Intraperitoneal (IP) · Intrathecal · Intracavernosal Vaginal Pessary (vaginal suppository) · Vaginal ring · Douche · Intrauterine device Rectal Suppository · Enema

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