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Stridor

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Incomplete obstruction to airflow within the upper respiratory tract leads to turbulence and the intense musical sound of stridor. It may be difficult to distinguish from a monophonic wheeze.

The larynx is particularly predisposed to obstruction because it is the only part of the respiratory tract that has an entire circle of non-compliant cartilage - the cricoid cartilage. In addition, the subglottis - the area just below the vocal cords - is also the narrowest part of the upper respiratory tract. Hence, pathology in the larynx, e.g. inflammation or a foreign body, may lead to airflow obstruction.

Stridor may be of three types according to the location of the airway obstruction:

  • inspirational: most common; obstruction at, or above, the level of the cords
  • biphasic: inspirational and expirational; obstruction in the subglottis or trachea
  • expirational - obstruction in the small airways, e.g. asthma

With advancing obstruction, inspirational stridor may develop into the biphasic form.


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