keuhkoääniä

Keuhkoäänet, also known as lung sounds or breath sounds, are the sounds produced by air moving through the respiratory tract during breathing. They are a vital part of physical examination, providing valuable information about the condition of the lungs and airways. Auscultation, the act of listening to these sounds with a stethoscope, is a common diagnostic tool used by healthcare professionals.

Normal breath sounds, often described as vesicular, are soft, low-pitched sounds heard over most of the lung fields. They are produced by air flowing through the smaller airways and alveoli. Abnormal lung sounds, or adventitious sounds, can indicate various respiratory conditions. Crackles, also known as rales, are discontinuous popping sounds that may suggest fluid in the alveoli, such as in pneumonia or pulmonary edema. Wheezes are continuous high-pitched whistling sounds, typically heard during exhalation, and often associated with narrowed airways, as seen in asthma or bronchitis. Rhonchi are continuous low-pitched rattling sounds, similar to snoring, which usually indicate mucus or secretions in the larger airways. Pleural friction rubs are creaking or grating sounds that occur when the inflamed pleural membranes rub against each other during breathing.

The presence, character, and location of abnormal lung sounds help clinicians diagnose and monitor respiratory diseases. Changes in breath sounds can also indicate the effectiveness of treatments. Accurate interpretation of keuhkoääniä requires trained ears and a good understanding of respiratory physiology.