Bronchophony

/brɑŋˈkɑfəni/ noun

Definition

The sound of the bronchial tubes and voice heard through a stethoscope during a medical examination, which can indicate various lung conditions.

Etymology

From Greek 'bronchos' (windpipe) + 'phone' (sound or voice) + '-y' (noun suffix). Developed in clinical medicine during the 19th century as doctors refined techniques for examining lung sounds.

Kelly Says

Bronchophony is kind of like your lungs acting as a speaker—when sound travels through abnormal lung tissue, it transmits differently than through healthy lungs, which is why experienced doctors can diagnose problems just by listening carefully.

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