hemoptysis
pathology
Quick Summary
Hemoptysis is the medical term for coughing up blood from the respiratory tract. This condition involves the expectoration of blood originating from some part of the airways, such as the lungs or bronchi.1
It is important to distinguish hemoptysis from hemothorax, which is the collection of blood in the pleural cavity, the space between the lungs and the chest wall. Hemothorax can result from injuries, surgery, or conditions like pulmonary embolism and tumors. If hemothorax impedes breathing, a tube is used to drain the blood.2
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
