What soft yellow substance is secreted by glands in the ear canal?

The correct answer is cerumen, which is commonly known as earwax. Cerumen is a natural substance produced by glands located in the ear canal. Its primary function is to protect the ear by trapping dust, bacteria, and other foreign particles, preventing them from reaching the inner parts of the ear and potentially causing infection or damage. Cerumen also has lubricating properties that help to keep the sensitive skin of the ear canal moist and prevent dryness or irritation.

The other options are not specific terms used to describe the substance secreted in the ear canal. While "secretion" is a general term that could refer to any substance released by glands, it lacks the specificity of cerumen. "Oily lubricant" could describe various substances in the body but does not refer specifically to earwax. Similarly, while sweat is a secretion produced by sweat glands, it originates from different glands in the skin and is not related to the ear canal. Thus, cerumen is the precise term that accurately describes the soft yellow substance in question.