noun
- abnormal rattling sounds heard when examining unhealthy lungs, typically with a stethoscope
Usage: medical
Examples
- The doctor detected rales in the patient’s left lung during the examination.
- Fine rales can indicate fluid in the small airways of the lungs.
- The presence of rales suggested the patient might have pneumonia.
- Coarse rales are often heard in patients with pulmonary edema.
- The physician listened carefully for rales and other abnormal breath sounds.
- Wet rales typically indicate secretions in the respiratory tract.