On the Sputum Production?

Expectoration or sputum production is the act of coughing up and spitting out the material produced in the respiratory tract.

Is production of sputum normal?

Mucus production in the airways is normal. Without it, airways become dry and malfunction. But sometimes the mucus is produced in excess and changes in nature. This results in the urge to cough and expectorate this mucus as sputum.

How is sputum produced?

Sputum is made up from secretions from cells lining the respiratory tract, dead cells, foreign matter that is breathed into the lungs, such as tar from cigarettes and air pollutants, and white blood cells and other immune cells. In infections, bacteria may also be present in sputum.