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Crackles are the clicking, rattling, or crackling noises that may be made by one or both lungs of a human with a respiratory disease during inhalation, and occasionally during exhalation. They are usually heard only with a stethoscope ("on auscultation"). Pulmonary crackles are abnormal breath sounds that were formerly referred to as rales. [2]
Respiratory sounds, also known as lung sounds or breath sounds, are the specific sounds generated by the movement of air through the respiratory system. [1] These may be easily audible or identified through auscultation of the respiratory system through the lung fields with a stethoscope as well as from the spectral characteristics of lung sounds. [2]
In order to listen to the lungs from the back the patient is asked to move their arms forward to prevent the scapulae (shoulder blades) from obstructing the upper lung fields. These fields are intended to correlate with the lung lobes and are thus tested on the anterior (front) and posterior (back) chest walls.
Upon physical examination, breath sounds (heard with a stethoscope) may be diminished on the affected side, partly because air in the pleural space dampens the transmission of sound. Measures of the conduction of vocal vibrations to the surface of the chest may be altered.
Understanding Lung Sounds 3rd edition (2002) by Steven Lehrer is a book and audio CD that guides the student through the skills of lung auscultation. It provides a complete overview of lung examination, anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
Stertor (from Latin stertere 'to snore') is a term first used in 1804 [2] to describe a noisy breathing sound, such as snoring. [3] [4] It is caused by partial obstruction of the upper airways, at the level of the nasopharynx or oropharynx. [1] It is distinguished from stridor by its pitch. [4]
Fibrosis of the lungs can occur, resulting in dyspnea (shortness of breath), low blood oxygenation, and reduced functional residual capacity for as long as six years after the injury. [38] As late as four years post-injury, decreased functional residual capacity has been found in most pulmonary contusion patients studied. [ 43 ]
Stridor is a high-pitched sound which occurs during breathing and is associated with obstruction at the level of the larynx. Difficulty swallowing and changes in voice are common symptoms. [ 3 ] If there is total obstruction, severe respiratory distress or cyanosis due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the blood) can occur.