Wheezing

Basics

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.

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