The respiratory system is assessed by examining sputum and performing which procedure?

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Sputum analysis reveals the types of organisms, inflammatory cells, or malignant cells in the airways, but to directly visualize the airways and obtain targeted samples from the lower respiratory tract, a bronchoscopy is performed. Bronchoscopy allows direct inspection of the tracheobronchial tree and enables procedures such as bronchoalveolar lavage, brushings, or biopsies to diagnose infections, tumors, or inflammatory conditions. Spirometry and imaging or blood tests provide functional or systemic information but do not offer the direct airway visualization and sampling that bronchoscopy provides.