When Is Pleural Friction Rub Heard?

A pleural friction rub is an adventitious breath sound heard on auscultation of the lung. The pleural rub sound results from the movement of inflamed and roughened pleural surfaces against one another during movement of the chest wall.

When would you hear a pleural rub?

They occur where the pleural layers are inflamed and have lost their lubrication. Pleural rubs are common in pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and pleurisy (pleuritis). Because these sounds occur whenever the patient's chest wall moves, they appear on inspiration and expiration.

What does pleural friction rub indicate?

A pleural friction rub is almost always a sign of pleurisy. Pleurisy, otherwise known as pleuritis, is another name for inflammation of the pleura tissues around your lungs. Conditions that lead to pleurisy may also cause a pleural friction rub.