Understanding Rhonchi: Causes, Symptoms, and Differences with Crackles

Rhonchi are small, noisy breath sounds that can occur in the lungs. They are typically heard through a stethoscope when a person is breathing in (inspiration) and are caused by the movement of air through mucus or other secretions in the respiratory tract. Rhonchi are often described as having a "rattling" or "bubbly" quality.
Rhonchi can be a normal finding in certain conditions, such as asthma or chronic bronchitis, but they can also be a sign of an underlying infection or inflammation. In some cases, rhonchi may be accompanied by other symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
Rhonchi are different from crackles, which are higher-pitched sounds that occur when air moves through fluid in the lungs. Crackles are often heard during expiration (breathing out) and are typically a sign of congestion or fluid buildup in the lungs.