| English Dictionary |
SPUTUM (sputa)
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Dictionary entry overview: What does sputum mean?
• SPUTUM (noun)
The noun SPUTUM has 1 sense:
1. expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness
Familiarity information: SPUTUM used as a noun is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting body parts
Synonyms:
phlegm; sputum
Hypernyms ("sputum" is a kind of...):
mucous secretion; mucus (protective secretion of the mucous membranes; in the gut it lubricates the passage of food and protects the epithelial cells; in the nose and throat and lungs it can make it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the body through the epithelium)
Context examples
K. georgiana is commonly isolated from human sputum and throat cultures and is an opportunistic pathogen.
(Kluyvera georgiana, NCI Thesaurus)
A squamous cell lung carcinoma detectable by sputum cytology only.
(Occult Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma, NCI Thesaurus)
A lung carcinoma detectable by sputum cytology or bronchial washings only.
(Occult Lung Carcinoma, NCI Thesaurus)
A non-small cell lung carcinoma detectable by sputum cytology only.
(Occult Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, NCI Thesaurus)
A small cell lung carcinoma detectable by sputum cytology only.
(Occult Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, NCI Thesaurus)
A lung adenocarcinoma detectable by sputum cytology only.
(Occult Lung Adenocarcinoma, NCI Thesaurus)
P pnomenusa is found in soil and is pathogenic to humans having been isolated from the sputum of individuals with cystic fibrosis.
(Pandoraea pnomenusa, NCI Thesaurus)
A large cell lung carcinoma detectable by sputum cytology only.
(Occult Large Cell Lung Carcinoma, NCI Thesaurus)
N. sicca is found in the nasopharynx, saliva, and sputum of humans, but is also an opportunistic pathogen.
(Neisseria sicca, NCI Thesaurus)
K. cryocrescens is normally found in milk, water, sewage, soil and sputum, and is an opportunistic pathogen in the hospital setting.
(Kluyvera cryocrescens, NCI Thesaurus)
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