Heart and Lung Sounds Reference Guide

Crackles - High Pitched (Rales) Auscultation Reference

Patient Normal Speed

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Patient Half Speed

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Lesson

For heart sounds listen to the synthetic sound while reviewing this lesson.

Fine crackles (rales) are brief, discontinuous, popping sounds that are high-pitched. You can simulate this lung sound by rolling strands of hair between your fingers near your ear. Fine crackles are also similar to wood burning in a fireplace.

Crackles are more commonly heard during breath inspiration. These crackles can be heard over a wide area of the chest.

The waveform(s) seen above are a chart of sound amplitude (loudness) on the vertical axis against time on the horizontal axis.

Listening Tips

A summary of the key aspects of this heart or lung sound.
Brief, popping sounds that are high-pitched. Fine crackles are similar to wood burning in a fireplace. Crackles are more commonly heard during inspiration.

Auscultation Method

The recommended patient position is sitting

For this sound, use stethoscope's diaphragm The recommended auscultation position for the stethoscope is posterior-3l

Relevant Courses

If you wish to review a complete mobile concerning Crackles - High Pitched (Rales) Auscultation Reference and related heart sounds, the modules(s) listed below may be useful. Each lesson includes text that explains the auscultatory sound and its clinical significance. The lesson also includes an audio track for playback. A waveform provides a great way to visualize the sounds. Finally, we also include an animation video. For heart sounds, the video illustrates heart muscle and valve movements along with blood flow. For lung sounds, the primary source of the sounds can be seen. Each module also includes a quiz.

Crackles - High Pitched (Rales) Auscultation Reference