Causes of Decreased Breath Sounds
- Airway obstruction
- Hyperinflation (emphysema)
- Obesity
- Pleural Effusion (accumulation of fluid in the pleural spaces)
- Pneumothorax
- Shallow Breathing
Breath Sounds
- Crackles (or Rales) - Popping or nonmusical, discontinuous sounds usually heard during inspiration.
- Pleural (friction) rubs - Loud nonmusical sounds heard both in inspiration and expiration.
- Rhonchi - low-pitched musical sounds usually heard during expiration.
- Stridor
- Whispered Pectoriloquy (particularly with respect to whispering)
- Wheezes
Breath Sound Quality
- Bronchial - Typically heard over the trachea
- Bronchovesicular - Typically heard over the mainstem bronchi
- Vesicular - Typically heard over the lung
Related Links
- The Virtual Stethoscope: From McGill University (cardiac and respiratory sounds)
- Lung Sounds: From East Tennessee State University
- The RALE Respository: Respiratory Sounds and Educational Programs
NOTICE: The information and tools for calculations are presented as a free service of VentWorld for educational purposes only. VentWorld does not guarantee the accuracy of this information or resulting calculations and, in matters of patient care, VentWorld strongly recommends that you verify the information and/or calculations you make using such information.