Essential Lung Sounds

Pleural Friction Rub

Pleural friction rubs are a creaking or grating sounds. They sound like walking on fresh snow. Coughing will not alter the sound. They are produced by two inflamed pleural layers that have lost their lubrication. Pleural rubs occur when the chest wall moves, during inspiration and expiration.

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Pleural rubs can be localized to the affected area. In this example, Use the slider to reveal the area of the lungs where these sounds originate for this patient.

Authored by Diane Wrigley, PA. Medically reviewed by Dr. Barbara Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN.