sputum

• Nom désignant la masse expectorée, composée de salive mêlée aux sécrétions des voies respiratoires ; en physiologie historique, on croyait qu'elle provoquait une certaine paresse ou apathie.

A noun referring to expectorated matter, consisting of saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in historical physiology it was thought to cause sluggishness.

indénombrable

1. Expectorated matterB2formalmedical

   Mucus and other matter coughed up from the respiratory tract, often examined for medical diagnosis.

   Expectoration

   • The doctor collected a sample of sputum for analysis.
   • Patients with bronchitis often produce thick sputum.
   • The presence of blood in the sputum can indicate a serious condition.

   Synonymesexpectorationphlegmspitspittle

2. Historical physiological conceptC2formalmedical

   In ancient and medieval medicine, a bodily humor believed to cause sluggishness or phlegmatic temperament.

   Humeur flegmatique

   • Hippocratic theory considered sputum one of the four humors.
   • Medieval physicians thought an excess of sputum led to lethargy.
   • The concept of sputum as a humor influenced early medical treatments.

   Synonymesphlegm