crepitus (crepitation)

Introduction

A crackling, crunching, grinding, grating noise or fine bubbling sound (rales), as if surfaces were rubbing against each other.

Etiology

• osteoarthritis (joint crepitus)
• discharge of gas from the intestine (bowel crepitus)
• gas gangrene

More general terms

• sign/symptom

Additional terms

• crepitus test