Sputum (Noun)
Meaning
Expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The patient was asked to cough up a sample of sputum for further analysis in the laboratory.
- The sputum test results showed the presence of bacteria, indicating a possible infection.
- In ancient Greece, it was believed that an excess of sputum in the body led to lethargy and a lack of motivation.
- The doctor asked the nurse to collect the sputum samples from the patients in the respiratory ward.
- The sample of sputum was sent to the lab for microbiological examination to determine the underlying cause of the cough.