Mason Blake
Lung sounds, also known as breath sounds, are the noises produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing. They can be described in a variety of ways, including continuous or non-continuous, musical or non-musical, and dry or wet. These sounds can be heard by a doctor using a stethoscope and can provide important clues about the functioning of the lungs and the presence of any underlying health conditions. Some common terms used to describe lung sounds include rales, rhonchi, stridor, and wheezing, each with distinct characteristics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Continuous or noncontinuous | Continuous sounds have no breaks, while noncontinuous sounds are a series of short, broken sounds |
| Musical or nonmusical | Musical is another word for continuous sounds |
| Dry or wet | Crackles can be described as sounding dry or moist |
| Normal lung sounds | Bronchial, bronchovesicular, and vesicular |
| Adventitious sounds | Crackles, rhonchi, wheezes, stridor, and rubs |
| Vesicular breath sounds | Soft, low-pitched, and rustling |
| Bronchial breath sound | Loud, hollow, and high-pitched |
| Rhonchi | Continuous, low-pitched, snoring, or gurgling |
| Wheezing | Continuous, high-pitched hissing sound |
| Stridor | Continuous, rough, high-pitched whistle or squeaking |
| Crackles | Discontinuous, interrupted, or explosive; short and high-pitched, or longer and lower-pitched |
| Pleural rub | Creaking, grating, or rubbing |
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What You'll Learn
- Crackles (rales) are described as discontinuous, interrupted or explosive sounds, like rattling, bubbling or clicking
- Rhonchi (sonorous rhonchi) are continuous, low-pitched, snoring or gurgling sounds
- Wheezing (sibilant rhonchus) is a continuous, high-pitched hissing sound
- Stridor is a continuous, harsh, high-pitched whistle or squeaking sound
- Vesicular lung sounds are soft, low-pitched and rustling, indicating open airways
Crackles (rales) are described as discontinuous, interrupted or explosive sounds, like rattling, bubbling or clicking
Lung sounds are the noises produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing. They can be described as continuous or non-continuous, musical or non-musical, and dry or wet. Crackles, also known as rales, are described as discontinuous, interrupted, or explosive sounds. They are often associated with inflammation or infection of the small bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Crackles are caused by the “popping open” of small airways and alveoli collapsed by fluid, exudate, or lack of aeration during exhalation.
Crackles might sound like rattling, bubbling, or clicking. Fine crackles, or "crepitation," are short, high-pitched sounds. They are generally heard when the alveoli are affected. Coarse crackles, on the other hand, are lower in pitch and last longer. These are signs that the larger airways are being affected. A healthcare provider is more likely to hear crackles when a patient breathes in, but they can also occur during exhalation.
Rales occur when you inhale, causing a low-pitched or high-pitched crackling noise. They are caused when collapsed alveoli suddenly snap open. Rales are associated with restrictive lung diseases, such as interstitial lung disease and asbestosis. Coughing does not relieve the abnormal lung sound. Fine rales are high-pitched, while coarse rales are low-pitched, depending on the severity of the illness.
The presence of crackles in both lungs is referred to as bilateral crackles. Basal crackles are those that appear to originate near the base of the lung. Bibasal crackles, also known as bilateral basal crackles, are crackles heard at the bases of both the left and right lungs. Crackles are considered abnormal breath sounds and can indicate underlying respiratory conditions or illnesses.
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Rhonchi (sonorous rhonchi) are continuous, low-pitched, snoring or gurgling sounds
Lung sounds are the noises produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing. They can be used to diagnose diseases or learn more about a patient's condition.
Rhonchi are associated with obstructive lung diseases, in which damage to the airways causes air to leave the lungs more slowly than normal during exhalation. Examples of obstructive lung diseases that can cause rhonchi include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia.
Rhonchi can be heard with a stethoscope and are one of the most common abnormal lung sounds, along with crackles (rales), wheezing, stridor, and pleural rub. However, it is important to note that a provider cannot diagnose a patient based only on lung sounds. They will also consider other information, such as symptoms, health history, and additional tests, to understand what might be causing the abnormal sounds.
If you are experiencing abnormal lung sounds, it is important to consult a healthcare provider. They will be able to evaluate your lung sounds and determine the underlying cause.
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Wheezing (sibilant rhonchus) is a continuous, high-pitched hissing sound
Wheezing, or sibilant rhonchus, is a continuous, high-pitched hissing sound. It is an abnormal lung sound that occurs when the airways are narrowed or blocked, limiting the flow of air in and out of the lungs. This narrowing can be caused by fluid buildup, mucus, swelling, or inflammation of the airways. Wheezing is often associated with asthma, allergies, or respiratory infections. It is usually heard when a person breathes out but can also occur during inhalation, especially in individuals with asthma.
The sound of wheezing can sometimes be loud enough to be heard without a stethoscope. It is often described as a high-pitched whistle or squeaking sound, similar to the sound of air escaping from a small opening. The pitch and duration of wheezing can vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. For example, in asthma, the airways are typically swollen, narrowed, and blocked by excess mucus, resulting in a distinct wheezing sound.
Wheezing can be differentiated from other lung sounds, such as rhonchi, which are low-pitched and resemble snoring or gurgling. Rhonchi are also continuous sounds, but they are produced by the constriction of larger airways, whereas wheezing is associated with narrowed small airways. Additionally, crackles, also known as rales, are discontinuous, interrupted, or explosive sounds that may sound like rattling, bubbling, or clicking. They can be short and high-pitched or longer and lower-pitched.
The presence of wheezing can provide valuable information about the condition of the lungs and airways. It is often indicative of an obstruction or narrowing of the airways, which can be caused by various factors, including mucus buildup, inflammation, or foreign objects. However, it is important to note that the diagnosis of a lung condition involves considering other symptoms, medical history, and additional tests, as wheezing alone may not be sufficient for a definitive diagnosis.
The treatment for wheezing depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, managing underlying conditions, such as asthma or allergies, can help prevent or reduce the occurrence of wheezing. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare provider if you are concerned about any abnormal lung sounds or breathing difficulties. They will conduct a thorough evaluation, including listening to your lungs with a stethoscope, to determine the most appropriate course of treatment.
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Stridor is a continuous, harsh, high-pitched whistle or squeaking sound
Lung sounds, or breath sounds, can be described in several ways. Crackles, also called rales, are described as discontinuous, interrupted, or explosive sounds, like rattling, bubbling, or clicking. Fine crackles, or crepitation, are short and high-pitched, while coarse crackles are lower-pitched and longer. Pleural rub is a rough, grating sound caused by the lining of the lungs rubbing against each other. Rhonchi, or sonorous rhonchi, are continuous, low-pitched sounds that resemble snoring or gurgling. They occur when airflow becomes rough or blocked in the large airways. Wheeze is a continuous, high-pitched hissing sound, often heard when breathing out.
The different types of stridor are inspiratory, expiratory, and biphasic. Inspiratory stridor occurs during inhalation and indicates a collapse of tissue above the vocal cords. Expiratory stridor occurs during exhalation and suggests a problem further down the windpipe. Biphasic stridor occurs during both inhalation and exhalation and indicates a narrowing of the subglottis, the cartilage below the vocal cords.
The treatment for stridor depends on the severity of the blockage and the underlying cause. Doctors may take a "wait and see" approach, or they may treat the cause with medications such as steroids to reduce airway swelling. In some cases, endoscopic or open surgery may be required to remove obstructions or expand the airway.
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Vesicular lung sounds are soft, low-pitched and rustling, indicating open airways
Lung sounds, or breath sounds, are the noises produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing. These sounds can be heard by a healthcare provider using a stethoscope placed on a patient's chest or back. The intensity and quality of breath sounds depend on the site of auscultation, or listening.
Vesicular lung sounds are one of the three types of normal lung sounds, the other two being bronchial and bronchovesicular. They are characterised as soft, low-pitched, and rustling, indicating open airways. These sounds are heard when air flows smoothly through the airways, indicating that nothing is blocking them and that they are fully open and not narrowed or swollen. They are predominantly inspiratory, meaning they are heard when a person breathes in, and can be appreciated especially well at the posterior lung bases.
Vesicular lung sounds are typically heard in the middle part of the chest, where they are lower-pitched than bronchial lung sounds but higher-pitched than bronchovesicular lung sounds. They are soft, smooth, and low-pitched, indicating that nothing, such as mucus, is blocking the airways, and there is no swelling or narrowing that is preventing a full breath.
In contrast, abnormal lung sounds, also known as adventitious sounds, can indicate the presence of underlying conditions. These sounds can be continuous or non-continuous, musical or non-musical, and dry or wet (moist). Examples of abnormal lung sounds include rhonchi, crackles, pleural rub, wheezing, and stridor. Rhonchi are continuous, low-pitched sounds that are heard when a person breathes out, although they can also occur during inhalation. Crackles, also known as rales, are described as discontinuous, interrupted, or explosive sounds that may sound like rattling, bubbling, or clicking. Pleural rub refers to the rough, grating sound produced by the lining of the lungs rubbing against each other. Wheezing is a continuous, high-pitched hissing sound that occurs when the airways are narrowed, while stridor is a harsh, high-pitched whistle or squeaking sound caused by a blockage in the upper airway or throat.
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Frequently asked questions
The five most common abnormal lung sounds are rales (or crackles), rhonchi, wheezes, stridor, and pleural rub.
Rales or crackles are discontinuous, interrupted, or explosive sounds that may sound like pulling velcro open or rattling, bubbling, or clicking.
Rhonchi are continuous, loud, low-pitched, snoring, or gurgling sounds.
Wheezes are continuous, high-pitched hissing sounds.
