Chapter 12 Pathology: Diagnostic Terms

auscultation

listening to sounds within body

diagnoses conditions of lungs, pleura, heart, and abdomen, and condition of fetus during pregnancy

percussion

tapping on a surface to determine difference in density of underlying structure

diagnoses pneumonia 

pleural rub/friction rub

scratchy sound produced by pleural surfaces rubbing against each other

rales (crackles)

fine crackling sounds heard on auscultation (during inhalation) when there is fluid in alveoli 

rhonchi

loud rumbling sounds heard on auscultation of bronchi obstructed by sputum

sputum

material expelled from bronchi, lungs, or upper respiratory tract by spitting

purulent sputum 

has pus- is green or brown 

stridor

strained, high-pitched sound heard on inspiration caused by obstruction in pharynx or larynx

wheezes

continuous high-pitched whistling sounds produced during breathing