These may be heard on their own or with astethoscope.
There are normal breath sounds that your healthcare provider expects to hear.
Abnormal breath sounds may indicate a respiratory illness, heart disease, infection, or other problems.
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This article explains where breath sounds originate and what wheezing, stridor, rhonchi, and rales mean.
It also describes possible causes and when it is time to seek medical care.
Normal Breath Sounds
Auscultationis the process of listening with a stethoscope.
As part of the evaluation, the provider will check for three types of normal breath sounds.
The sounds are often described as being harsh as if air is being blown through a pipe.
The sounds are higher-pitched than those heard over other parts of the lungs.
However, they are also quieter and more hollow-sounding than tracheal breath sounds.
Vesicular Breath Sounds
Vesicular breath sounds are sounds heard over the main body of the lungs.
Vesicular breath sounds originate in the tiny air sacs of the lungs, calledalveoli.
They produce soft, low-pitched sounds mainly during inspiration.
Wheezing
Wheezingdescribes whistling sounds that are usually more pronounced with expiration.
These sounds may be “squeaky” (when high-pitched) or “moaning” (when low-pitched).
Wheezing may also be described as “musical” when there is a single note or multiple variable notes.
“Squawks” may describe very short wheezes that usually occur late during inspiration.
There are many possible causes of wheezes.
Stridor should be assessed as a matter of urgency.
In some cases, it may indicate a potentially life-threatening obstruction of the airways.
Rhonchi
Rhonchi, in contrast to wheezes, cause low-pitched clunky or rattling sounds.
They sometimes resemble snoring and will often clear with coughing.
Rhonchi are usually due to the build-up of mucus in the large airways.
Many of the same conditions that cause wheezing can also cause rhonchi.
The sounds can come and go but are most pronounced when you inhale.
Crackles can be further described as “fine” or “coarse.”
With pertussis, a high-pitched “whooping” sound may be heard after coughing.
A pleural rub may occur during both inhalation and exhalation.
Unlike rales, the sound does not clear with coughing.
In some cases, a specialist in respiratory diseases called apulmonologistmay be needed.
Lung Examination
In addition to auscultation, there are other components of thorough lung evaluation.
The healthcare provider may also percuss (tap) your chest and back.
Any chest tenderness may be a sign of a fracture or a torn muscle or ligament.
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