Which term describes dry rattling in the throat caused by partial obstruction?

The correct term that describes dry rattling in the throat caused by partial obstruction is rhonchi. This term refers specifically to a type of abnormal lung sound that is typically produced by airway obstructions. Rhonchi usually characterize conditions in the larger airways and can be produced by the movement of air through mucus or other obstructions.

Rhonchi are often heard during expiration and may change or clear when the individual coughs, as the obstruction may be temporarily removed or altered. The presence of these sounds indicates that there is some degree of airway obstruction, which can be due to conditions such as bronchitis or other airway irritations.

In contrast, stridor refers to a high-pitched sound that indicates narrowing of the upper airway, often associated with conditions such as croup or laryngeal obstruction. Wheezing is a whistling sound, typically occurring during expiration, associated with bronchospasm or narrowing of the bronchioles, commonly seen in asthma. Rhonchus, while it refers to a single sound conceptually similar to rhonchi, is not commonly used as a standalone term and usually refers to a singular occurrence of the sound rather than a collection of them.

Understanding the distinctions between these respiratory sounds helps in the assessment