Wheezing

Description

Wheezing is a continuous sound that is caused by turbulent airflow through an obstructed airway.

• Often described as musical in nature and with a variable pitch
• Wheezing is an expiratory sound; stridor is an inspiratory sound.
• Wheezing occurs from obstruction in the intrathoracic airway, whereas stridor is caused by an obstruction in the extrathoracic airway.
• If heard in both inspiration and expiration, there may be a fixed obstruction or separate lesions in both the intrathoracic and extrathoracic airways.