What is the sound associated with a lower airway obstruction?

Wheezing is the sound associated with a lower airway obstruction due to its characteristics and the location of the obstruction. This high-pitched, musical sound occurs primarily when air is forced through narrowed airways, which can happen in conditions like asthma or bronchitis where inflammation or constriction occurs in the bronchi and bronchioles.

This distinct sound indicates that there is a problem deeper in the respiratory system, signaling that airflow is limited in the lower airways. Proper recognition of wheezing can aid in the assessment of respiratory distress and guide appropriate treatment, such as the use of bronchodilators.

In contrast, stridor is typically a sign of an upper airway obstruction, often heard in cases involving laryngospasm or croup. Gurgling suggests fluid in the airway, commonly associated with aspiration or the presence of secretions. Snoring indicates potential upper airway obstruction, usually related to relaxed tissues in the throat. Each of these sounds serves as important diagnostic cues, but wheezing specifically points to issues within the lower airway structure.