stridor
Definition
Noun: A harsh, high-pitched, whistling or grating sound produced during breathing, typically heard when inhaling. It is a clinical sign indicating a partial obstruction or narrowing in the upper airway, particularly in the trachea or larynx.
Usage
Stridor is a medical term used to describe an abnormal respiratory sound. It is a symptom, not a disease itself, and signifies that airflow is being forced through a constricted passage. It is most commonly heard during inspiration (inhalation) but can also occur during expiration or both phases of breathing depending on the location of the obstruction.
Examples
- The doctor noted audible stridor in the child with croup.
- Post-operative swelling can sometimes cause stridor, requiring close monitoring.
- The presence of stridor is a medical emergency as it can signal severe airway compromise.
Advanced Usage
- Biphasic stridor: Stridor heard during both inhalation and exhalation, often suggesting a fixed obstruction at the level of the vocal cords or subglottic area.
- Inspiratory stridor: The most common type, heard when breathing in, typically indicating an obstruction above the vocal cords.
- Expiratory stridor: Heard when breathing out, more suggestive of an obstruction lower in the trachea.
Variants and Related Words
- Stridulous (adj.): Characterized by or producing a stridor.
- The patient had a stridulous cough.
Synonyms
- Wheezing (Note: In precise medical terminology, "wheezing" typically refers to a high-pitched sound originating from the airways, like the bronchi, while "stridor" is from the airway. They are often confused but indicate different problems.)
- Grating sound
- Harsh breath sound
Related Phrases and Medical Contexts
- Airway obstruction: The general condition that stridor signals.
- Croup: A common viral illness in children known for causing a characteristic barking cough and stridor.
- Laryngomalacia: A common cause of inspiratory stridor in infants.
Noun
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a whistling sound when breathing (usually heard on inspiration); indicates obstruction of the trachea or larynx
