Matching Pairs Breath SoundsOnline version Match the name/description with the audio breath sound. by Krista Tull 1 Rhonchi are continuous, deep, rumbling sounds that are more pronounced during expiration. They are caused by the passage of air through an airway obstructed by thick secretions and often clear with coughing. 2 Coarse crackles are discontinuous, brief, popping lung sounds. They originate in the larger bronchi or trachea. Compared to fine crackles they are lower in pitch and last longer. They have also been described as a bubbling sound. They are not cleared with a cough. 3 Fine crackles are discontinuous, bubbling or popping lung sounds that are high-pitched. May be heard in patients with CHF or pneumonia. They are not cleared with a cough. 4 Vesicular breath sounds are soft and low pitched with a rustling quality during inspiration and are even softer during expiration. They are heard over healthy lung tissue. 5 A wheeze is characterized by a high-pitched musical quality. It is caused by a high velocity flow of air through a narrowed airway and may be heard during inspiration and expiration. Wheezes are associated with asthma and chronic bronchitis. 6 Stridor is a high-pitched musical breath sound caused by an obstruction in the trachea or larynx. It is usually heard during inspiration. 7 A pleural friction rub is a dry, rubbing or grating sound, usually caused by inflammation of the pleural surfaces. Since these sounds occur whenever the patient's chest wall moves, they appear on inspiration and expiration. Pleural rubs stop if the patient holds their breath.