Sputum - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Sputum is a thick mucus coughed up from the lungs, often due to infection or illness. It helps doctors diagnose respiratory conditions by analyzing its color and consistency.
Definition:
Mucus coughed up from the lungs, often due to illness or infection.
Synonyms:
Phlegm, mucus, expectoration
Part of Speech:
Noun
Antonyms:
(No direct antonyms)
Common Collocations:
Cough up sputum, bloody sputum, sputum sample, sputum production
Derivatives:
Sputumous (rare), sputal (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "sputum" in medical contexts to describe mucus expelled from the respiratory tract.
Common Phrases:
(No common phrases or idioms)
Etymology:
From Latin "sputum," meaning "that which is spit out," from "spuere" (to spit).
Examples:
- 1. The doctor examined the patient's sputum for signs of infection.
- 2. She coughed up thick sputum during her bronchitis episode.
- 3. The lab tested the sputum sample for tuberculosis bacteria.
- 4. Excessive sputum production can indicate a respiratory condition.