ABSTRACT
Hemoptysis is defined as the expectoration of blood that originates from the
tracheobronchial tree or the pulmonary parenchyma. It can be the presenting
sign of serious pulmonary and cardiac disorders and needs to be differen-
tiated from blood loss arising from the upper respiratory tract or the gastroin-
testinal tract. Blood loss from a variety of nonpulmonary sources can also be
aspirated and later expectorated, thus confounding this differentiation. This
is especially likely if bleeding originates from the vallecula and hypopharynx
(1). If there is doubt about the source of bleeding, it should be assumed
that the patient is bleeding from the tracheobronchial tree or pulmonary
parenchyma.
