Sputum

Sputum is the mucus and other material that is coughed up from the lungs, bronchi and trachea. It serves as an important diagnostic tool for detecting various types of lung diseases and disorders, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and tuberculosis. Microscopic examination of sputum can also help to determine the type of micro-organism causing the infection. Sputum can also provide information on the loss of certain substances in the lung and their absorption into the blood. Moreover, sputum analysis is used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer of the lung and other respiratory disorders. Collecting and analyzing sputum samples are important means to improve the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases.