Amphoric Respiration
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Amphoric respiration is a very low, soft, quiet bronchial breathing with a musical, metallic timbre, resembling the sound of air passing over an empty bottle. It occurs over lung cavities, bronchiectasis, or in pneumothorax due to resonance in a smooth-walled cavity.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
AMPHORIC RESPIRATION (from Latin amphora - vessel), a very low, soft, quiet bronchial breathing, having a musical, metallic tint and resembling the sound produced by the rapid passage of a narrow stream of air over an empty bottle (hence the name). Amphoric respiration acquires this special character due to the presence, along with the fundamental low tone, of high overtones formed as a result of resonance in a smooth-walled cavity communicating with the outside air. It is found over cavities, bronchiectasis, or with enhanced resonance in pneumothorax.
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Cite this page
“Amphoric Respiration.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/amphoric-respiration/