Hengitysääniä

Hengitysääniä, or breath sounds, are the sounds produced by the movement of air through the respiratory system. These sounds are typically assessed by a healthcare professional using a stethoscope during a physical examination. The most common breath sounds are vesicular, bronchial, and bronchovesicular.

Vesicular sounds are the normal breath sounds heard over most of the lung fields. They are soft, low-pitched, and have a rustling quality. These sounds are produced by air flowing through the smaller airways and alveoli. Inspiration is typically longer and louder than expiration.

Bronchial sounds are heard over the trachea and larynx. They are louder, higher-pitched, and have a hollow, tubular quality. This is because the larger airways create more turbulence as air passes through them. Expiration is often equal to or longer than inspiration.

Bronchovesicular sounds are an intermediate between vesicular and bronchial sounds. They are heard over the main bronchi, typically near the sternum and between the scapulae. These sounds have a moderate pitch and intensity, with inspiration and expiration being roughly equal in duration and loudness.

Abnormal breath sounds, also known as adventitious sounds, can indicate various respiratory conditions. Crackles, or rales, are discontinuous, popping sounds that may suggest fluid in the alveoli, such as in pneumonia or heart failure. Wheezes are continuous, high-pitched whistling sounds that often indicate narrowed airways, commonly heard in asthma or bronchitis. Rhonchi are continuous, low-pitched rattling sounds that may indicate mucus in the larger airways. Stridor is a loud, harsh, high-pitched sound heard during inspiration, often due to upper airway obstruction. Pleural friction rubs are creaking or grating sounds produced by inflamed pleural surfaces rubbing against each other. The interpretation of these sounds is crucial for diagnosing and managing respiratory illnesses.