On chest percussion, what sound is often heard in pneumothorax?

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Multiple Choice

On chest percussion, what sound is often heard in pneumothorax?

Percussion notes reflect the density of the underlying tissues. When air accumulates in the pleural space as in pneumothorax, the area is more air-filled and less dense, producing a louder, more resonant sound—hyperresonant. In a larger pneumothorax, this can become tympanic, a drum-like note, due to the substantial trapped air. Dullness would suggest fluid or solid tissue (like pleural effusion or consolidation), and a flat percussion note points to very dense tissue or muscle. Vesicular breath sounds are an auscultation finding, not a percussion note.

Percussion notes reflect the density of the underlying tissues. When air accumulates in the pleural space as in pneumothorax, the area is more air-filled and less dense, producing a louder, more resonant sound—hyperresonant. In a larger pneumothorax, this can become tympanic, a drum-like note, due to the substantial trapped air.

Dullness would suggest fluid or solid tissue (like pleural effusion or consolidation), and a flat percussion note points to very dense tissue or muscle. Vesicular breath sounds are an auscultation finding, not a percussion note.

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