What is the Difference Between Vesicular and Bronchial Breathing?

The difference between vesicular and bronchial breathing lies in the sounds they produce and their location in the respiratory system.

• Vesicular breathing is a type of lung sound that is heard over most areas of the chest when air rushes in and out of the lungs during breathing. These sounds are soft, low-pitched, and rustling in quality. Vesicular breathing is normal and can be heard most easily below the chest wall. It is louder and longer in the right lung than in the left lung and less loud in areas where there is less pulmonary tissue, such as at the very top and bottom of the lungs.
• Bronchial breathing is a type of lung sound heard over the tracheobronchial tree, which is part of the airway system. Bronchial breath sounds are louder, more high-pitched, and predominantly heard during expiration. They are typically heard over the trachea or at the right apex. If bronchial breath sounds are heard in other areas of the lung, it is considered abnormal.

In summary, vesicular breathing is characterized by soft, low-pitched sounds heard over most areas of the chest, while bronchial breathing is characterized by louder, high-pitched sounds heard predominantly during expiration and typically over the tracheobronchial tree. Changes in these breath sounds can be an indicator of lung conditions or abnormalities.

Comparative Table: Vesicular vs Bronchial Breathing

Here is a table comparing vesicular and bronchial breathing:

Both vesicular and bronchial breathing are types of breath sounds that can be heard and identified through the auscultation of the respiratory system. Abnormal vesicular and bronchial breathing sounds may indicate an underlying issue in the respiratory system.