Wheeze and stridor

Q: Stridor is usually predominantly? (select one)

A) expiratory

B) inspiratory

Answer: B

The objective of this question is to appreciate the difference between wheezing and stridor on physical exam. There are two major differences:

• Wheezing usually occurs in expiration. In contrast, stridor is predominantly inspiratory.
• Wheezing sounds like a continuous musical sound with single or multiple notes. Stridor is mostly monophonic.

Also, stridor is best heard over the anterior neck.

#physical-exam

#pulmonary

References:

1. Bohadana A, Izbicki G, Kraman SS. Fundamentals of lung auscultation. N Engl J Med 2014; 370:744.

2. Loudon R, Murphy RL Jr. Lung sounds. Am Rev Respir Dis 1984; 130:663.

3. Forgacs P. The functional basis of pulmonary sounds. Chest 1978; 73:399.