crepitation

Pronunciation: krep′i-tā′shŭn

Definition:

1. Crackling; the quality of a fine bubbling sound (rale) that resembles noise heard on rubbing hair between the fingers.
2. The sensation felt on placing the hand over the seat of a fracture when the broken ends of the bone are moved, or over tissue, in which gas gangrene is present.
3. Noise or vibration produced by rubbing bone or irregular degenerated cartilage surfaces together as in arthritis and other conditions.

Synonym(s): bony crepitus

[see crepitus]

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