What term describes a wet, crackling sound heard during respirations?

The term that describes a wet, crackling sound heard during respirations is known as rales. Rales are a type of abnormal lung sound associated with the presence of fluid in the airways or lung tissue, often indicative of conditions such as pneumonia, heart failure, or pulmonary edema. These sounds occur due to the small airways opening and closing during inhalation and exhalation, leading to a characteristic crackling or bubbling noise, particularly noted during auscultation of the lungs.

This distinguishes rales from other respiratory sounds. For instance, apnea refers to a temporary cessation of breathing and does not involve any sound during respiration. Wheezes are high-pitched sounds typically resulting from narrowed airways, often associated with asthma or bronchitis, and rhonchi are more low-pitched, rattling sounds also indicative of airway obstruction but are caused by mucus in larger airways. Understanding these distinctions helps in accurate assessment and communication regarding respiratory health.