Breath sounds

By | August 28, 2023

Breath Sounds

There are two main types of breath sounds that can be heard with a stethoscope: bronchial and vesicular.

Bronchial breath sounds are loud, high-pitched, and heard over the trachea and larynx. These sounds are produced when air passes through the large airways of the lungs.

Vesicular breath sounds are softer, lower-pitched, and heard over the smaller airways and lung tissue. These sounds are produced when air passes through the small airways and fills the lung tissue.

There are also additional breath sounds that may be heard in specific clinical situations, such as crackles, wheezes, and stridor.

There are many online resources available to learn about breath sounds, including:

  1. Medscape: provides a comprehensive overview of breath sounds, including audio examples and clinical information.

  2. Khan Academy: offers a basic introduction to breath sounds, including audio and visual examples.

  3. Auscultation Assistant: a free website that provides audio recordings of breath sounds and practice quizzes.

  4. YouTube: various channels provide tutorials on breath sounds, including visual examples and explanations.

  5. e-Learning for Healthcare: provides an interactive online course on respiratory examination, including breath sounds.