Respiratory noises

wheeze vs stertor vs stridor

Wheeze

Wheezing is typified as a coarse whistling sound heard on the phase of expiration and is usually due to lung disease

Stertor is a grunting or a snoring sound and is loudest during inspiration

The high-pitched noise of stridor can occur during the respiratory phase of inspiration, expiration, or both (biphasic).

Inspiratory stridor is caused by airway obstruction at the vocal cords or higher.

Biphasic stridor is caused by obstruction below the vocal cords. The most common cause of biphasic stridor in children is viral croup.

Expiratory stridor is caused by obstruction in the trachea. The most common cause of expiratory stridor in children is tracheomalacia.