spytt

Spytt is a Norwegian term that covers saliva and sputum—the mucus that is produced in the mouth and nasal passages and the material that can be coughed up from the lungs. In everyday language spytt most often refers to saliva, the watery, foamy fluid produced by the salivary glands. In medical contexts, spytt or sputum describes the mucus that is expectorated when coughing from the airways.

Saliva is produced mainly by three pairs of major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual) and by numerous minor glands. The composition is predominantly water, but it also contains glycoproteins (mucins), electrolytes, enzymes such as amylase, lipase, and antimicrobial compounds like lysozyme and lactoferrin. Saliva helps moisten and lubricate food, begins carbohydrate digestion, buffers acidity in the mouth, and supports oral defense by reducing bacterial growth.

Sputum refers to mucus from the lower airways that is expelled by coughing. Its appearance and odor can vary with health status: clear or white sputum is common with viral infections or allergies, while yellow or green sputum can indicate bacterial infection; red or brown sputum may signal bleeding or other pathology. Analyzing sputum can aid in diagnosing respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cultural and hygiene aspects include the historical use of spittoons and the social restrictions on spitting in public in many places. Chewing tobacco or other substances that stimulate saliva production can increase spitting behavior. Spytt, as both saliva and sputum, plays a central role in oral health, digestion, and respiratory health.