What is the term for a harsh or high-pitched respiratory sound caused by upper airway obstruction?

The correct term for a harsh or high-pitched respiratory sound that indicates an obstruction in the upper airway is "Stridor." Stridor is typically heard during inspiration and can signify serious conditions such as laryngospasm or upper airway swelling, often associated with conditions like croup or anaphylaxis. It is important for medical professionals to recognize stridor, as it may require urgent intervention.

Wheezing, on the other hand, is a musical or whistling sound produced by the narrowing of the lower airways, primarily associated with conditions like asthma or bronchitis. Rhonchi refers to low-pitched, rattling sounds resulting from obstruction or secretions in the larger airways, often heard in cases of pneumonia or COPD. Crackles, also known as rales, are disruptive sounds typically associated with fluid in the small airways, common in conditions such as pulmonary edema or pneumonia. Each of these sounds indicates different issues within the respiratory system, but none of them represent the characteristic features of stridor related to upper airway obstruction.