weber test: The Weber test is one test used when attempting to distinguish between conductive versus sensorineural hearing loss. A 512 or 1024 HZ tuning fork is used and once set in motion, the base is placed on top of the patient's head or in the midline of the forehead. The patient is asked where she hears the sound. Normally, sound is heard in the midline or equally in both ears (i.e. no lateralization). In the case of conductive hearing loss, the sound will lateralize to the "bad" ear. In contrast, with sensorineural hearing loss the sound will lateralize to the "good" ear. Go to page

wheezing: Wheezing is a continuous, high-pitched musical sound, like a whistle, heard during inspiration and/or expiration, caused by airflow through a narrowed airway. It may originate from large or small airways. There are numerous causes of wheezing including the following: post nasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux, asthma, vocal cord dysfunction, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive lung disease, neoplasms. Some physicians feel that subtle wheezes can be heard by examining the anterior thorax in a supine position and having the patient exhale forcefully. Go to page

whispered pectoriloquy: Whispered pectoriloquy is the term used when the patient's words, spoken in a whisper, are heard more distinctly than normal through the stethoscope during auscultation. It is found over airless lung. Go to page

wide base: A wide-based gait suggests either foot problems or cerebellar disease.

widened interval between a2 and p2: Wide physiologic splitting of S2 may be heard in association with a right bundle branch block. In this situation, there is delayed electrical activation of the right ventricle with a resultant delay in pulmonic closure. Wide physiologic splitting can also be seen in conditions that delay right ventricular outflow (e.g. pulmonic valve stenosis). Go to page