Sputum: Difference between revisions

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Sometimes, such as when there is an infection in the lungs, an excess of mucus is produced. The body attempts to get rid of this excess by coughing it up as sputum.<ref>Medical News Today What can sputum tell us. Available: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318924 (accessed 8.7.2021)</ref>
Sometimes, such as when there is an infection in the lungs, an excess of mucus is produced. The body attempts to get rid of this excess by coughing it up as sputum.<ref>Medical News Today What can sputum tell us. Available: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318924 (accessed 8.7.2021)</ref>
== Sputum Examination ==
The sputum is examined grossly and microscopically to aid medical diagnosis. The sputum contains various cells and molecular compounds such as soluble lipids and proteins. Its analysis is crucial in medicine. The sputum analysis involves an analytical approach to investigate the cellular and acellular components expelled from the patient's upper respiratory tract. This procedure is essential in the evaluation and management of lower respiratory infections or other longstanding health conditions.[[/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563195/#article-29415.r1|[1]]] Clinically, sputum molecular biomarkers or gene sequencing of the microorganisms have increased medicine accuracy and represent a milestone in the current evaluations of the algorithms running for precision medicine.<ref>Shen F, Sergi C. Sputum Analysis. [Updated 2020 Oct 18]. In: StatPearls Available:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563195/ (accessed 8.7.2021)</ref>


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Revision as of 06:50, 8 July 2021

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Introduction[edit | edit source]

Sputum is matter expectorated from the respiratory system and especially the lungs. It is composed of mucus but may contain pus, blood, fibrin, or microorganisms (such as bacteria) in diseased states.[1] Sputum is produced when a person’s lungs are diseased or damaged. Sputum is not saliva but the thick mucus (sometimes called phlegm) which is coughed up from the lungs.

The body produces mucus to keep the thin, delicate tissues of the respiratory tract moist so that small particles of foreign matter that may pose a threat can be trapped and forced out.

Sometimes, such as when there is an infection in the lungs, an excess of mucus is produced. The body attempts to get rid of this excess by coughing it up as sputum.[2]

Sputum Examination[edit | edit source]

The sputum is examined grossly and microscopically to aid medical diagnosis. The sputum contains various cells and molecular compounds such as soluble lipids and proteins. Its analysis is crucial in medicine. The sputum analysis involves an analytical approach to investigate the cellular and acellular components expelled from the patient's upper respiratory tract. This procedure is essential in the evaluation and management of lower respiratory infections or other longstanding health conditions.[1] Clinically, sputum molecular biomarkers or gene sequencing of the microorganisms have increased medicine accuracy and represent a milestone in the current evaluations of the algorithms running for precision medicine.[3]

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References[edit | edit source]

  1. Merriam Webster Sputum Available: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sputum (accessed 8.7.2021)
  2. Medical News Today What can sputum tell us. Available: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318924 (accessed 8.7.2021)
  3. Shen F, Sergi C. Sputum Analysis. [Updated 2020 Oct 18]. In: StatPearls Available:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563195/ (accessed 8.7.2021)