Background for rale
BeDict Logo

rale

/ɹɑːl/ /ɹæl/

Meanings
noun
(now chiefly in plural) An abnormal clicking, rattling or crackling sound, made by one or both lungs and heard with a stethoscope, caused by the popping open of airways collapsed by fluid or exudate, or sometimes by pulmonary edema.

Examples :

"The doctor listened to the patient's chest and heard rales, indicating possible pneumonia. "
medicine sound physiology organ disease body anatomy

Related Words

Illustration listened

listened verb

/ˈlɪsn̩d/

To pay attention to a sound or speech.

"Please listen carefully as I explain.  I like to listen to music."

Illustration abnormal

abnormal noun

/əbˈnɔɹ.ml̩/

A person or object that is not normal.

"The abnormal in the class's attendance record was due to the school holiday. "

Illustration clicking

clicking verb

/ˈklɪkɪŋ/

To cause to make a click; to operate (a switch, etc) so that it makes a click.

"She kept clicking her pen during the test, which was distracting to the other students. "

Illustration pulmonary

pulmonary adjective

/ˈpʊlməneri/ /ˈpʌlməneri/

Pertaining to, having, or affecting the lungs.

"The patient's pulmonary function test showed some weakness in his breathing. "

Illustration collapsed

collapsed verb

/kəˈlæpst/ /kəˈlapsed/

To break apart and fall down suddenly; to cave in.

"After the heavy rain, the old wooden shed collapsed. "

Illustration rattling

rattling verb

/ˈrætəlɪŋ/ /ˈrætlɪŋ/

To create a rattling sound by shaking or striking.

"Rattle the can of cat treats if you need to find Fluffy."

Illustration sometimes

sometimes adjective

/ˈsʌmtaɪmz/

Former; sometime.

"My sometimes neighbor, a retired teacher, still visits the school occasionally. "

Illustration possible

possible noun

/ˈpɒsɪbl̩/ /ˈpɑsəbl̩/

A possible one.

"A possible solution to the math problem is to use the formula. "

Illustration stethoscope

stethoscope noun

/ˈstɛθəskəʊp/ /ˈstɛθəsˌkoʊp/

A medical instrument used for listening to sounds produced within the body, often combined with a sphygmomanometer

"The doctor used a stethoscope to listen to the patient's heart. "

Illustration crackling

crackling verb

/ˈkɹæk(ə)lɪŋ/

To make a fizzing, popping sound.

"a crackling fire"

Illustration pneumonia

pneumonia noun

/nuˈmoʊniə/ /njuˈməʊniə/

An acute or chronic inflammation of the lungs caused by viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms, or sometimes by physical or chemical irritants.

"Grandmother developed pneumonia after a bad cold. "

Illustration indicating

indicating verb

/ˈɪndɪkeɪtɪŋ/

To point out; to discover; to direct to a knowledge of; to show; to make known.

"The guard blew his whistle to indicate imminent departure."