Airway, Respiration, Ventilation

Snoring sounds like

low pitched breathing

Snoring is likely caused by

tongue obstructing AKA loss of muscle tone

Snoring is found in the

upper airway

Stridor sounds like

high pitched, harsh breathing noise

Stridor is likely caused by

upper airway obstruction (foreign body, swelling, etc.)

Stridor is found in the

upper airway during inspiration

Gurgling sounds like

wet, bubbling sound

Gurgling is caused by

fluid in the upper airway

Gurgling is found in the

upper airway

Wheezing sounds like

high-pitched musical sound

Wheezing is caused by

lower airway narrowing

Wheezing is found in the

lower airway during expiration

Rales or “crackles” sounds like

popping, crackling wet sounds

Rales is caused by

fluid in the alveoli

Rales is found in the

lower lungs during inhalation

Rhonchi sounds like

low-pitched, coarse, rattling/snoring sound

Rhonchi is caused by

mucus in the bronchi/bronchioles

Rhonchi is found in the

lower airway, may clear with coughing