Airway Flashcards
What is the barrier between the upper and lower airway?
Glottis
This is the only muscle that ABDUCTS the vocal ligaments
Posterior cricoarytenoid muscles
What is the most narrow part of the adult and pediatric airways?
Pediatric - cricoid cartilage
Adults - glottis
Normal mouth opening distance
30-40mm (2-3 FB)
Precautions for nasal airways
Epistaxis and anticoagulants
Nasal and basilar skull fractures
Adenoid hypertrophy
Big caution with oral airways
LARYNGOSPASM
Posterior cricoarytenoid
Only abductor of the cords!!
Opens the glottis
Lateral cricoarytenoid
Adducts the cords
Arytenoids
Closes the glottis (esp the posterior)
Crycothyroid
Produces tension and elongates the cords
Thyroarytenoid
Shortens and relaxes the cords
Sensory and Motor Function of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve (Internal branch)
Sensory only!!
- Base of tongue
- Epiglottis
- Supraglottic mucosa
- 2 joints (thyroepiglottic and cricothyroid joints)
Sensory and Motor Function of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve (External branch)
Sensory:
- Anterior subglottic mucosa
Motor:
- Cricothyroid muscle (adductor/tensor)
Sensory and Motor Function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve
Sensory:
Subglottic mucosa
Muscle spindles
Motor: Thyroarytenoid Lateral cricothyroid Interarytenoid Posterior arytenoid
What should we remember to do before placing a nasal airway?
Lube that sucker up
When is a mask case ok?
Pt doesn’t have difficult airway
Airway obstruction is easily relieved with oral/nasal airway or chin lift
Short case duration
Surgeon doesn’t need access to head/neck
Head will be accessible for the entire case
No airway bleeding/secretions
When in the induction sequence can an LMA be placed?
After loss of lash reflex and confirmation of mask ventilation
Who should not have an LMA placed?
Anyone considered a full stomach (parturients, uncontrolled GERD, trauma, acute abdomens, diabetics d/t autonomic neuropathy)
