A high-pitched, harsh, adventitious breath sound caused by a spasm or swelling ofthe larynx or an…

➤ How can clinicians distinguish stridor from a wheeze?
You distinguish stridor from wheeze by sound location and timing. Stridor is usually loudest over the neck and often inspiratory. Wheeze is lower and more pronounced over the chest, usually expiratory. Stridor suggests upper-airway obstruction, while wheeze implies small-airway narrowing like asthma. Check voice changes, breathing effort, and bronchodilator response.