Final answer:
Crepitus is the medical term for the crackling or crunching sensation felt under the skin, often detected by healthcare professionals using a stethoscope during a patient examination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The crackling or crunching sensation under the skin when assessing a patient's chest is known as crepitus. This condition can be a sign of gas accumulation in the subcutaneous tissue due to infection, injury, or a variety of other medical circumstances, such as spontaneous pneumothorax. It's often associated with the sound heard during auscultation, like the crepitation detected in lungs with pneumonia. In a clinical setting, healthcare professionals will use a stethoscope to listen for such sounds as part of an examination to diagnose underlying health issues. Detection of crepitus may lead to further diagnostic testing, such as chest radiographs, to understand the cause and extent of the problem.
Subcutaneous emphysema can be felt as a crackling or popping sensation when the affected area is pressed. It is commonly associated with conditions such as pneumothorax (collapsed lung), trauma to the chest wall, or air leaks in the respiratory tract. Treatment for subcutaneous emphysema depends on the underlying cause. It may involve addressing the underlying condition, providing supportive care, and occasionally, the release of trapped air through a surgical procedure.