What is the medical term for coughing up blood?

The medical term for coughing up blood is hemoptysis. This term specifically refers to the expectoration (coughing up) of blood or blood-stained sputum from the respiratory tract, indicating a potential issue in the lungs or airways. Conditions that may cause hemoptysis include infections, inflammation, trauma, or malignancies.

In contrast, pneumothorax refers to the presence of air in the pleural space that can lead to lung collapse. Hemorrhage is a broader term that denotes active bleeding, which may occur anywhere in the body, not specifically linked to coughing. Epistaxis is the medical term for nosebleed, and while it also involves blood, it does not relate to coughing or the respiratory system. Thus, hemoptysis is the precise term for the specific symptom of coughing up blood, making it the correct answer.