High Pitch

Loud

Insp<Exp - 1:2

Over trachea

Abnormal: heard over peripheral lung fields

Moderate Pitch

Medium Intensity

Insp = Exp - 1:1

Over main bronchi

Abnormal - over peripheral lung fields

Low Pitch

Soft Intensity

Insp>Exp - 2.5:1

Peripheral Lung Fields

Fine - high-pitched crackling & popping heard during end of inspiration

Medium - moist sound heard about halfway through inspiration

Coarse - low-pitched, bubbling or gurgling sounds that start early in inspiration & extend into first part of expiration

Pneumonia, Heart Failure, Restrictive Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Edema, & Pulmonary Fibrosis

High-pitched, musical sound similar to squeak; heard during expiration, may be heard on inspiration; occurs in small airways

Asthma

Low-pitched, coarse, loud, low snoring or moaning tone; heard primarily in expiration, but also inspiration; coughing may clear

Obstruction of trachea or bronchus (chronic bronchitis)

Superficial, low-pitched, coarse rubbing or grating sound; sounds like 2 surfaces rubbing together; heard throughout inspiration & expiration; loudest over the lower anterolater surface

Pleurisy (Inflammation of Pleural Surfaces)

Alveoli have been destroyed; Emphysema

Collapsed alveoli; Atelectasis or Severe Asthma Attack

Chest wall moves in on inspiration and out on expiration

After chest trauma