Definition of terms for applications of respiratory sounds

TLDR

Computerized lung sound analysis is a multidisciplinary field. The study aims to clarify terminology to facilitate work in computerized lung sound analysis. The authors compiled a systematic, alphabetically ordered glossary of respiratory sound terminology, drawing on official guidelines, position papers, handbooks, and literature, and provided concise formal definitions with characteristics and references to clarify terms for clinicians and engineers.

Abstract

Computerized lung sound analysis is a multidiscipli-nary field. Work in this field would be easier if the terms tobe used were clearly defined. This chapter is meant fordoctors, engineers and other persons who are workingwith respiratory sound analysis.The terms collected in this paper of the ComputerizedRespiratory Sound Analysis (CORSA) guidelines includeterms of respiratory diseases, pulmonary physiology,acoustics, automatic data handling and instrumentation.The list includes terms that have not yet been definedclearly in the literature, or defined in a controversial way.Some terms included have been defined elsewhere, e.g .the terms of lung function variables, but were regardeduseful to be included in this selection in order to improvethe readability. Some general terms have also beenincluded in cases where the common sense meaning ofthat term is different from the specific meaning in the dis-cipline of respiratory sound research.Each definition of a term includes, as a rule, a short for-mal definition, some additional characteristics and refer-ences if available. Official guidelines (European Respir atorySociety Guidelines for Lung Function Studies, AmericanThoracic Society publications) position papers, statementsand reports of international societies as well as originalpapers and review articles in scientific international jour-nals have been used as references. Handbooks have alsobeen used.The terms defined are listed in alphabetical order, andhave been used systematically in the CORSA guidelines.For the definition of different kinds of sounds, anattempt has been made to make clear distinctions betweenadjectives indicating locations (like lung, trachea, etc.),