Rhonchi (plural) and Rhonchus (singular) are terms used in medicine to describe a low-pitched, rattling sound heard during auscultation (listening with a stethoscope) of the lungs.
* Rhonchi is the plural form, often used when referring to multiple sounds.
* Rhonchus is the singular form, referring to a single sound.
The sound is typically caused by airflow obstruction in the larger airways (bronchi) of the lungs. This obstruction can be due to:
* Mucus buildup: Thick mucus in the airways can create a vibrating sound as air passes through it.
* Inflammation: Swollen airway walls can narrow the passage and cause turbulence in the airflow.
* Foreign bodies: Objects stuck in the airways can also cause rhonchi.
So, while grammatically the words are different, in medical practice they essentially refer to the same phenomenon.