What do continuous musical tones at the end of expiration suggest in thorax examination?

Continuous musical tones at the end of expiration, often referred to as wheezes, indicate that there is a narrowing of the airways. This phenomenon typically arises from conditions such as bronchoconstriction, inflammation, or the presence of secretions that obstruct airflow in the smaller air passages of the lungs. The musical quality of the sounds points to a turbulent airflow as the air passes through these narrowed segments.

This clinical finding is fundamental in diagnosing respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other forms of airway obstruction. Therefore, the presence of these sounds at the end of expiration specifically suggests that there is some impediment to normal airflow during expiration rather than reflecting normal respiratory function or effective lung ventilation.

In contrast, normal breath function, healthy lung function, or effective ventilation are characterized by clear breath sounds without such musical tones, indicating that the airways are sufficiently patent and airflow is unobstructed.