Airway Sounds

Stridor

Upper Airway Sound: As air is forced by pressure through a partial obstruction, a high-pitched, sometimes almost whistling sound can be heard. Typically, stridor indicates a severely narrowed passage of air and suggests near obstruction. In stridor, the obstruction can be a foreign body, such as a toy, or it can be caused by swelling of the upper airway tissues, as in an infection.

Wheezing

Upper Air Way Sound: Obstruction of the small airways within the lungs, a high pitched whistling sound, greatest on expiration, that is generally louder as you get further away from the mediastinum

Crackles

Lower Airway Sound: Obstruction of the alveoli by fluid or mucus, can sound like “popcorn” or “Velcro” and are loudest when patient is inhaling. Can be heard all throughout the lung or can be localized in one small area. Occur as the collapsed fluid-filled alveoli in the collapsed lung “pop-open”.

Rhonci

Lower Airway Sound: Abnormal breathing sounds that can be heard during auscultation of the lungs. These sounds are characterized by low-pitched, coarse, and rattling noises.

Gurgling

Upper Airway Sound: Gurgling is the sound of fluid obstructing the airway. As air is forced through the liquid, the gurgling sound is made. Common liquid obstructions include vomit, blood, and other airway secretions. Gurgling is a sign that immediate suctioning is necessary.

Hoarseness

Upper Airway Sound: Voice changes, such as stridor, often reflect a narrowing of the upper airway passages. Voice changes are often useful in assessing an ongoing airway issue. For example, in a person whose airway is swelling after a burn, you may note a normal voice to begin with, but a raspy voice as the swelling builds up around the vocal cords. The development of hoarseness is often an ominous sign.

Rales