ABNORMAL LUNG SOUNDS

Pleural
Lung Crackles
Wheeze Rhonchi Stridor friction
sound (rales)
rub
1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Amplitude 0.5 0.5 0.5
0.0
0.5 0.5
0.0 0.0 0.0
of lung -0.5 -0.5
-0.5
-1.0
0.0
-0.5
-0.5
-1.0
-1.0 -1.0
sound 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 0 5 10 15
0 5 10 15 20 -1.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0
0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0

Location Most lung spaces Commonly May be best • Trachea and Most
best heard at the heard over the upper airways lung
heard lung bases larger airways • More commonly spaces
heard with
inspiration, but may
be heard during
both inspiration
and expiration
Sounds • High-pitched • Bubbling, Low-pitched High-pitched Creaking,
like whistling sound popping, or rattling sounds variable grating,
• Commonly heard clicking noises that may sound respiratory rubbing
with expiration • Best heard like snoring, sound
• May be heard during inhalation gurgling, or
with inspiration or • May be wheezing
throughout cycle described as
depending on moist, dry, fine,
severity of or coarse
inflammation and
constriction
Lung Vibrations of Fluid in the Blockage in the • Rapid, turbulent flow Inflammation
sound constricted smaller areas large airways of air through a causes
caused airway walls of the lungs caused by fluid, narrowed or partially roughing of
by induced by such as alveoli mucus, or other obstructed segment the surfaces
a diminished secretions in of the extrathoracic of the visceral
airflow the lungs upper airway and parietal
• Involved areas pleura.
include the pharynx,
epiglottis, larynx, and
the extrathoracic
trachea.

NOTES

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