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Breath Sound Simulator
Info
New: Breath Sound Learning Center
Learn the sounds before using the simulator
Open →
Tap a region • Choose left/right sounds • Rotate the body
Rotate Body
View: FRONT
RUL
LUL
RLL
LLL
LUL
RUL
LLL
RLL
Neck
Midaxillary
Neck
Midaxillary
Front view is mirrored to patient: screen-left = patient’s
RIGHT
.
Left sound
Normal vesicular
Wheezing
Coarse crackles
Stridor (neck only)
Right sound
Normal vesicular
Wheezing
Coarse crackles
Stridor (neck only)
Audio
Pause
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Breath sounds: what they mean & where to listen
Normal vesicular
Low-pitched
Peripheral
Soft, rustling; inspiratory > expiratory, no pause.
Best heard:
over peripheral lung fields (upper & lower, front and back).
Use:
Baseline for comparison side-to-side.
Wheezing
High-pitched musical
Expiratory±Inspiratory
Narrowed airways → polyphonic “musical” tones.
Common causes:
Asthma, COPD, anaphylaxis, CHF exacerbation (cardiac asthma).
Best heard:
Anterior/upper lobes and diffuse fields; can be heard without a stethoscope if severe.
Coarse crackles
“Bubbling”/“Popping”
Inspiratory
Air through fluid/secretions; lower-pitched, coarse.
Common causes:
Pneumonia, CHF/pulmonary edema, COPD exacerbation.
Best heard:
Posterior bases & lower lobes (back & lateral mid-axillary).
Stridor
Inspiratory, harsh
Upper airway
Monophonic, loud → upper airway obstruction.
Common causes:
Croup, epiglottitis, foreign body, angioedema.
Best heard:
Neck/trachea
(this simulator limits stridor to the neck points).
Red flags: voice change, drooling, severe work of breathing → manage airway early.
Where to listen
Upper (anterior RUL/LUL):
Good for
wheezes
, bronchial changes.
Lower (posterior bases RLL/LLL):
Best for
crackles
(pneumonia/edema).
Lateral mid-axillary:
Middle lobe & lingula; catches focal changes missed anteriorly.
Neck/trachea:
Stridor
, tracheal quality, transmitted upper airway sounds.
Technique tips:
Compare side-to-side at same levels; listen to a full insp/exp cycle; have the patient sit up if possible; reduce room noise.
Got it
