thick sputum (AKA: phlegm)

When you have been sick, have you ever coughed up something that seems to be saliva

but at the same time, is much thicker and grosser?

Chances are, you just coughed up dead bacteria, virus, and other kinds of invaders in your body.

thick sputum 40X

 

As shown in this picture, sputum is a gel-like liquid that is coughed up from your 

respiratory tracts such as your lungs. Sputum is different from mucus which you likely cough up more frequently than sputum since mucus is generally from mucous membranes such as your nose.




thick sputum 100X



 

From this picture, it is evident that sputum is not just filled with saliva. As stated earlier, 

sputum is covered in other kinds of substances and anything considered invasive to your body. 

Usually when one has a cold, sputum acts as a trap to capture any pathogens or viruses trying to attack your respiratory tract. 



thick sputum 400X

 

 

 

 

Now colors of the sputum matter as it indicates what condition your body is in and what 

the body is facing against. 

According to Medical Daily, white colored sputum is considered to be from an upper respiratory tract infection which is likely what the person who spit out this sputum is having trouble with (yeah.. it's not my sputum).

 

Just remember as you see these pictures, that if your body ever makes you cough sputum out, don't just swallow it back into your body! 

After all, now you know what sputum are consisted of when coughed out.