What are basilar rales?

Bibasilar crackles are abnormal sounds from the base of the lungs. They indicate that something is interfering with airflow. Two issues often cause bibasilar crackles. One is the accumulation of mucus or fluid in the lungs. Another is a failure of parts of the lungs to inflate properly.

What do rales indicate?

Crackles (Rales) Crackles are also known as alveolar rales and are the sounds heard in a lung field that has fluid in the small airways. The sound crackles create are fine, short, high-pitched, intermittently crackling sounds. The cause of crackles can be from air passing through fluid, pus or mucus.

What does basal crackles mean?

Definition. Abnormal breath sounds (crackles) heard on auscultation only in the bases of the lungs. They indicate inflammation, fluid, or infection in the air sacs of the lung. [ from NCI]

What causes crackles or rales?

The terms rales or crackles have been used interchangeably and are usually a matter of preference, not a difference in the condition. These sounds are formed when air moves into closed spaces. This usually occurs in the smaller parts of the lungs, like the alveoli.

What are coarse Rales?

Description. Coarse crackles are discontinuous, brief, popping lung sounds. Compared to fine crackles they are louder, lower in pitch and last longer. They have also been described as a bubbling sound. You can simulate this sound by rolling strands of hair between your fingers near your ear.

Is Bibasal pneumonia contagious?

You’re not generally contagious if you have fungal pneumonia. That’s because it’s caused by inhaled fungi from your environment, not spread from person to person. Aspiration pneumonia is not contagious because it is caused by inhaling food or liquid into your lungs.

What does coarse crackles mean?

Coarse crackles are louder, more low pitched and longer lasting. They indicate excessive fluid on the lungs which could be caused by aspiration, pulmonary oedema from chronic heart disease, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia.

How do rales sound?

Rales are abnormal lung sounds characterized by discontinuous clicking or rattling sounds. They can sound like salt dropped onto a hot pan or like cellophane being crumpled.

What does Platelike atelectasis mean?

Collapse of the portion of the lung distal to an obstructed subsegmental bronchus, manifested as a linear opacity on a chest radiograph. See also: Fleischner lines. Synonym(s): platelike atelectasis.