This Publication Is Searchable The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Section 6. Pulmonary Disorders Chapter 63. A musical sound, audible without a stethoscope and predominantly inspiratory.
Stridor is a physical finding associated with upper airway obstruction.
It is usually loud enough to be heard at some distance from the patient but may be audible only when the patient breathes deeply. Although predominantly inspiratory, it may be heard on both inspiration and expiration. Stridor can be produced voluntarily at the larynx and has been produced by a paradoxical movement of the vocal cords during respiration. Distinguishing these sounds from those of asthma is important because treatment differs. The presence of stridor is reason for concern and careful observation.