What sound is typically associated with secretions in larger airways?

Rhonchi are a type of abnormal lung sound that are typically associated with secretions in the larger airways, such as the bronchi. They are described as low-pitched, rattling sounds that occur when airflow is obstructed by mucus or other secretions. This sound is often heard during both inhalation and exhalation and can indicate that secretions are present, necessitating further evaluation and potential treatment to clear the airways.

In contrast, wheezes are high-pitched sounds that usually signify narrowed airways, often found in conditions like asthma. Crackles, or rales, are brief, discontinuous sounds that indicate fluid in the smaller airways or alveoli, typically associated with conditions like pneumonia or heart failure. Stridor is a high-pitched sound heard during inspiration, commonly associated with upper airway obstruction. Thus, the defining characteristic of rhonchi as a sound arising from larger airways filled with secretions makes it the appropriate choice for this question.