Stertor, from Latin 'stertere' to snore, and first used in 1804,[2] is a noisy breathing sound like snoring.[3][4] It is caused by partial obstruction of the upper airways, at the level of the nasopharynx or oropharynx.[1]
Stertor | |
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Stertor caused by partial obstruction of the upper airways, at the level of the nasopharynx or oropharynx.[1] |
It is distinguished from stridor by its pitch.[4] Stertor is low-pitched, and can occur when breathing in, out or both.[5] Stertor and stridor can occur together, such as when adenotonsillar hypertrophy and laryngomalacia occur together.[5]