Fundamentals of Lung Sounds

Normal Vesicular Lesson #645

patient thorax when auscultating by stethoscope

The patient was seated during auscultation.

Description

Bronchial breath sounds are hollow, tubular sounds that are higher-pitched compared to vesicular sounds. They can be auscultated over the trachea and anteriorly along each side of the sternum, from the second to fourth intercostal spaces. Posteriorly, along the vertebral column from the third to sixth intercostal spaces.

The stethoscope's diaphragm should be used for these breath sounds. There is a distinct pause in the sound between inspiration and expiration. I:E ratio is 1:3.

Phonocardiogram

Authors and Sources

Authors and Reviewers

Heart sounds by Dr. Jonathan Keroes, MD and David Lieberman, Developer, Virtual Cardiac Patient.
Lung sounds by Diane Wrigley, PA
Respiratory cases: William French
David Lieberman, Audio Engineering
Heart sounds mentorship by W. Proctor Harvey, MD
Special thanks for the medical mentorship of Dr. Raymond Murphy
Reviewed by Dr. Barbara Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN.
Last Update: 11/10/2021

Sources

Heart and Lung Sounds Reference Library Diane S. Wrigley
Publisher: PESI
Impact Patient Care: Key Physical Assessment Strategies and the Underlying Pathophysiology
Diane S Wrigley & Rosale Lobo
Practical Clinical Skills: Lung Sounds
Essential Lung Sounds Diane S. Wrigley, PA-C
Published by MedEdu LLC
PESI Faculty - Diane S Wrigley
Case Profiles in Respiratory Care 3rd Ed, 2019
William A.French
Published by Delmar Cengage
Essential Lung Sounds by William A. French
Published by Cengage Learning, 2011
Understanding Lung Sounds Steven Lehrer, MD
Clinical Heart Disease W Proctor Harvey, MD
Clinical Heart Disease
Laennec Publishing; 1st edition (January 1, 2009)
Heart and Lung Sounds Reference Guide
PracticalClinicalSkills.com