Sputum Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈspuːtəm/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A mixture of mucus, saliva, and other debris that is coughed up from the lungs, typically caused by respiratory infections or inflammation.

Examples

• After the doctor examined the patient’s sputum sample, she diagnosed pneumonia.
• Sputum production increases during the common cold.

Synonyms

• Mucus
• Pus

Antonyms

• Clear liquid
• Clean

Additional Information

Sputum is an important diagnostic tool in respiratory medicine, as it can indicate the presence of infections, inflammation, or other respiratory conditions. It is often collected by a healthcare provider through a technique called bronchoscopy, where a flexible tube is inserted through the nose or mouth and into the lungs.

Some common characteristics of sputum include its color, consistency, and volume, which can provide clues to the underlying medical condition. For example, yellow or green sputum may indicate a bacterial infection, while clear or white sputum may indicate a viral infection.

Etymology

The word “sputum” comes from the Latin word “sputum”, meaning “spittle” or “phlegm”, which is also the root of the English word “spit”.

Usage Notes

Sputum is typically used in medical contexts, such as hospitals or clinics, where it is collected and analyzed for diagnostic purposes. It is less commonly used in everyday conversation, unless the topic of respiratory health is being discussed.

Cultural References

Sputum has appeared in several films and TV shows, often as a symbol of illness or mortality. One notable example is the 1995 film “Seven”, where the main character, Detective William Somerset, is infected with a deadly virus that causes him to cough up bloody sputum.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“Cough up” is an idiomatic expression that means to produce sputum, often in response to an irritant or allergen.

Related Words or Phrases

• Bronchoscopy
• Mucus
• Lung cleanse

Collocations

• Sputum sample
• Lung sputum
• Bronchial sputum

Frequency of Use

Sputum is a relatively infrequent word in everyday language, but it is commonly used in medical and scientific contexts.

Common Misspellings

• Sputumma
• Sputumum
• Spitum