A whistling sound resulting from the narrowing of the respiratory passages is called?

• A. Bronchoscopy
• B. Stridor
• C. Wheeze
• D. Bronchitis

Answer: (C)

A wheeze is a high-pitched, musical sound that occurs when air moves through narrowed or inflamed airways, causing turbulent flow. This narrowing is typically in the smaller airways of the lungs and is common with conditions like asthma or COPD, or during bronchospasm or mucus buildup. Wheezes are usually heard during expiration, though they can be heard on inspiration in some cases. Stridor is a different breath sound—harsh and vibrating—resulting from obstruction in the upper airway and is usually best heard on inspiration. Bronchitis involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes and typically presents with cough and mucus rather than a whistling sound. Bronchoscopy is a procedure to visualize the airways, not a breath sound.