Vesicular Breath Sounds Page

Welcome to our vesicular breath sounds page. On this page we provide a definition of vesicular breath sounds and then we compare vesicular breath sounds to bronchial sounds using audio recordings and text. Finally, there is a link to the training lessons available on this site.

What Are Vesicular Breath Sounds?

Vesicular breath sounds are heard across the lung surface. They are lower-pitched, rustling sounds with higher intensity during inspiration. During expiration, sound intensity can quickly fade. Inspiration is normally 2-3 times the length of expiration.

Vesicular vs. Bronchial

Compare vesicular to bronchial breath sounds.

Vesicular

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Listen to this vesicular audio recording.

Bronchial

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Bronchial breath sounds are heard when auscultating over the large airways (e.g. second and third intercostal spaces). Notice the tubular, hollow sounds, which are louder and higher-pitched than vesicular breath sounds.

Vesicular Breath Sound Guide

Our auscultation guide provides information and examples of vesicular sounds. The guide pages provide waveforms with a moving cursor that is synchronized to the audio recording. In addition, listening tips are available.

Normal Vesicular

Diminished Vesicular

Vesicular Breath Sounds Lessons

Lessons on vesicular and diminished vesicular breath sounds are available in our free Lung Sounds courses. We suggest taking each course (about 20 minutes), but the lessons can be used without the full course.

Basics of Lung Sounds

Intermediate Lung Sounds