What are rhonchi?

• A. Harsh crowing adventitious breath sounds caused by obstruction.
• B. Snoring-like adventitious breath sounds due to mucus.
• C. High-pitched whistling.
• D. Adventitious breath sounds caused by pleural spaces rubbing together.

Answer: (B)

Rhonchi are low-pitched, coarse, snoring- or gurgling-sounding lung noises heard during auscultation. They occur when air moves through secretions in the larger airways, such as mucus in bronchitis or COPD. Because the sound comes from secretions rather than narrowed small airways, rhonchi often clear with coughing or suctioning.

This differentiates them from other adventitious sounds: wheezes are high-pitched and musical, caused by narrowed or obstructed small airways; crackles (rales) are fine or coarse popping sounds from fluid or sudden air opening in smaller airways; and a pleural friction rub is a grating sound from inflamed pleural surfaces rubbing together. The description of rhonchi as snoring-like sounds due to mucus best fits the concept.