HealthAugust 22, 2026

sputum

SPYOO-tum

Definition

A mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract, often collected for diagnostic laboratory testing.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'sputum', meaning 'spittle' or 'that which is spit', originating from the verb 'spuere', meaning 'to spit'.

In the news

Medical workers collected sputum samples from the five presumptive TB cases to perform laboratory testing and confirm a diagnosis of tuberculosis.

TB Screening at Makachua Flags Five Presumptive Cases

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The Wave Andaman

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