What is the term for expelling mucus or phlegm from the throat or respiratory passages?

The term 'expectorate' refers specifically to the process of expelling mucus or phlegm from the throat or respiratory passages through coughing or spitting. This action is often necessary when the respiratory system produces excess mucus due to illness, irritation, or infection, allowing individuals to clear their airways and improve breathing.

Inhalation involves taking air into the lungs, but it does not pertain to the act of expelling substances from the respiratory tract. Coughing, while it is a reflex that helps to eject mucus, is not the formal term used to describe the act of expelling the mucus itself. The term "clearing" is more general and could refer to any action taken to remove obstructions in the throat or airways but does not capture the specific process involved in expelling mucus. Thus, expectorate is the most accurate term for this specific action.