Noun: sputum (sputa) spyoo-tum
- Thick mucus mixed with saliva secreted in the respiratory passages and typically expelled by coughing matter ejected from the respiratory tract, consisting of saliva mixed with mucus or other discharges
"The doctor examined the patient's sputum for signs of infection";
- phlegm
Derived forms: sputa
Type of: mucous secretion, mucus
Encyclopedia: Sputum