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Rhonchi is the "coarse rattling sound somewhat like snoring, usually caused by secretion in bronchial airways". Rhonchi is the plural form of the singular word "rhonchus".

s an abnormal or adventitious sound heard when listening to the chest as the person breathes. They are present when an airway is partially obstructed owing to secretions, mucosal swelling, or tumor tissue pressing on the passage.






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Rhonchi is the "coarse rattling sound somewhat like snoring, usually caused by secretion in bronchial airways". Rhonchi is the plural form of the singular word "rhonchus".

Description

It is an abnormal or adventitious sound heard when listening to the chest as the person breathes. They are present when an airway is partially obstructed owing to secretions, mucosal swelling, or tumor tissue pressing on the passage. The sounds are gurgling noises heard on auscultation
Auscultation

Auscultation is the technical term for listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually using a stethoscope; based on the Latin verb auscultare "to listen"....
 of the lungs with a stethoscope
Stethoscope

The stethoscope is a acoustic medicine device for auscultation, or listening to eth internal sounds of an animal body. It is stom often used to listen to heart sounds....
 during inhalation
Inhalation

Inhalation is the movement of air from the external environment, through the air ways, and into the alveoli.Inhalation begins with the onset of contraction of the diaphragm , which results in expansion of the intrapleural space and an increase in negative pressure according to Boyle's Law....
 or exhalation
Exhalation

Exhalation is the movement of air out of the bronchial tubes, through the airways, to the external environment during Breath out.Exhaled air is rich in carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular cellular respiration during the production of Adenosine_triphosphate....
. The sounds are caused by the flow of air through thick mucous secretions in the larger air passages such as the bronchioles but can also be associated with smaller structures such as the alveoli.

Rhonchi can be heard in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed. This leads to a limitation of the flow of air to and from the lungs causing shortness of breath....
 (COPD) and acute or severe bronchitis
Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchus in the lungs. It can progress to pneumonia. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or weeks....
. COPD is an all inclusive syndrome that stems from the reduction of surface area associated with emphysema
Emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . It is often caused by exposure to toxin Chemical substance, including long-term exposure to tobacco smoking....
 and the production of mucous secretions, bronchospasm
Bronchospasm

Bronchospasm or "Bronchial Spasm" is a sudden constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchioles. It is caused by the release of substances from mast cells or basophils under the influence of anaphylatoxins....
 and inflammation
Inflammation

Inflammation is the complex biological response of Blood vessel tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue....
 associated with bronchitis.

Other tools used in auscultation include listening for egophony
Egophony

Egophony is an increased resonance of voice sounds heard when auscultating the lungs, often caused by consolidated or compressed lung tissue due to an infection, pleural effusion, tumor, or congestion....
, whispered pectoriloquy
Whispered pectoriloquy

Whispered pectoriloquy refers to an increased loudness of whispering "1-2-3" while the physician is listening using a stethoscope on the lung fields on a patient's back....
, rales
Rales

Rales, crackles or crepitations, are the clicking, rattling, or crackling noises heard on auscultation of the lung with a stethoscope during inhalation....
, rhonchi
Rhonchi

Rhonchi is the "coarse rattling sound somewhat like snoring, usually caused by secretion in bronchial airways". Rhonchi is the plural form of the singular word "rhonchus"....
 or wheezing. Also, percussion
Percussion (medicine)

Percussion is a method of tapping on a surface to determine the underlying structure, and is used in clinical examinations to assess the condition of the thorax or abdomen....
 is often used to determine diseases of the chest.

See also

  • Rales
    Rales

    Rales, crackles or crepitations, are the clicking, rattling, or crackling noises heard on auscultation of the lung with a stethoscope during inhalation....
  • Asthma
    Asthma

    Asthma is a common chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in which the Lung constrict, become inflammation, and are lined with excessive amounts of thickened mucus, often in response to one or more triggers....
  • Wheeze
    Wheeze

    A wheeze is a continuous, coarse, whistling sound produced in the respiratory airways during breathing. For wheezes to occur, some part of the respiratory tree must be narrowed or obstructed, or airflow velocity within the respiratory tree must be heightened....