Jan 22, 2024 · The body produces mucus, also known as phlegm or sputum, to protect sensitive tissues in the airways. Changes in the sputum color, thickness, or quantity of phlegm may indicate a health problem,...

Sep 20, 2024 · Mucus is a slippery fluid that lines your respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts. It acts like a shield to keep out harmful germs (pathogens) while also letting in things your body needs, like oxygen and nutrients.

Aug 2, 2024 · Phlegm is typically clear and thin. Your body produces it as part of its natural defense against irritants and infections. Several factors can affect the colors of phlegm, …

Jan 20, 2023 · Coughing up phlegm is a symptom of infections like the flu and common cold. Phlegm is a specific type of mucus that originates in your lungs and throat. It’s slightly thicker than the mucus that’s produced in your nose and sinuses. Another name for phlegm is sputum. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Aug 1, 2023 · Sputum, or phlegm, is a type of mucus secreted by cells in the lower airways (bronchi and bronchioles) of the respiratory tract. It differs from saliva, which is produced higher up in the mouth.

Apr 29, 2025 · Sputum is phlegm that is coughed up from the lower airways—the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. While phlegm refers to the substance itself, sputum refers to the expectorated (expelled by coughing) material.

Feb 14, 2025 · Sputum is a mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract, typically as a result of infection or chronic conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, or tuberculosis. It can be clear, yellow, green, or tinged with blood, and its analysis helps diagnose various respiratory diseases.

Apr 25, 2025 · Mucus is a thin, sticky substance that lines many parts of your body including the mouth, sinuses, and lungs. In the lungs, mucus plays a key role in protecting your lungs and airways from harmful irritants.

May 4, 2025 · The mixture of saliva and mucus specifically coughed up from the respiratory tract, often following an infection or irritation of the mucosa, is precisely labeled sputum. The term phlegm arises from the Greek word φλγμα, which was used in the ancient books of medicine to label humor caused by heat.

Sputum is mucus that is coughed up from the lower airways (the trachea and bronchi). In medicine, sputum samples are usually used for a naked eye examination, microbiological investigation of respiratory infections and cytological investigations of respiratory systems.