The spelling of the word "vesicular murmur" can seem daunting at first glance, but it becomes clearer with the use of IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced /vɛˈsɪkjʊlər ˈmɜːmə/. The "v" sound represents the voiced labiodental fricative, followed by the short "e" sound. The "s" sound is next, representing the voiceless alveolar fricative. The second syllable begins with the stressed "i" sound, followed by the "k" sound and a short "u" sound. The final syllable has the "r" sound, the "m" sound, and the schwa vowel, which is unstressed.
A vesicular murmur refers to a type of breath sound that is typically heard during auscultation of the lungs. It is characterized by a soft and low-pitched sound, resembling a rustling or gentle blowing effect. This type of murmur is predominantly heard during inhalation and is associated with normal breathing patterns. The term "vesicular" is derived from the Latin word "vesicula," meaning a small sac or blister.
The vesicular murmur is caused by the movement of air through the small airways and alveoli in the lungs during the breathing process. It is considered a normal breath sound and is heard over most lung fields. The sound is usually clear and absent of any added noise or abnormality. The vesicular murmur can be described as a symmetrical breath sound that is heard equally on both sides of the chest, indicating a well-functioning respiratory system.
A healthcare professional typically listens for vesicular murmur using a stethoscope during a routine physical examination or when assessing a respiratory condition. The absence or presence of vesicular murmur and any variations in its intensity or quality can provide valuable information regarding the functional capacity of the lungs and help diagnose respiratory disorders such as pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, a thorough understanding of this breath sound is crucial for healthcare professionals in accurately evaluating and managing respiratory conditions.
The normal respiratory sound heard on auscultation of the lungs.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The etymology of the term "vesicular murmur" can be broken down as follows:
1. Vesicular: The word "vesicular" is derived from the Latin word "vesicula", which means "small bladder" or "small sac". In medical terminology, it refers to the small air sacs found within the lungs, called alveoli.
2. Murmur: The term "murmur" comes from the Middle English word "murmure", which originated from the Latin word "murmurare", meaning "to murmur" or "to make a low, continuous sound". In medicine, a murmur is an abnormal sound heard during the heartbeat cycle, often indicating the presence of an underlying condition.