Final answer:
The high-pitched inspiratory noise caused by a partial upper airway obstruction is called stridor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The high-pitched inspiratory noise caused by a partial upper airway obstruction is called stridor. Stridor is a symptom that occurs when there is a blockage or narrowing in the upper airway, such as the throat or voice box. It is often associated with conditions like croup, epiglottitis, or vocal cord dysfunction.
Stridor can be distinguished from other respiratory noises such as wheezing or rhonchi based on its pitch and location. Wheezing is a high-pitched musical sound often associated with asthma or bronchitis, while rhonchi are low-pitched rumbling sounds typically heard in conditions such as pneumonia or chronic bronchitis.