Heart and Lung Sounds Reference Guide

Rhonchi - Low Pitched Wheezes Auscultation Reference

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Lesson

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

Low pitched wheezes (rhonchi) are continuous, both inspiratory and expiratory, low pitched adventitious lung sounds that are similar to wheezes. They often have a snoring, gurgling or rattle-like quality.

Rhonchi occur in the bronchi. Sounds defined as rhonchi are heard in the chest wall where bronchi occur, not over any alveoli. Rhonchi usually clear after coughing.

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.
Rhonchi are continuous, low pitched sounds with a gurgling, snoring or rattle-like quality. More common during expiration.

Auscultation Method

The recommended patient position is seated

For this sound, use stethoscope's diaphragm The recommended auscultation position for the stethoscope is posterior-4l

Relevant Courses

If you wish to review a complete mobile concerning Rhonchi - Low Pitched Wheezes 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.

Basics of Lung Sounds

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Rhonchi - Low Pitched Wheezes Auscultation Reference