Airway

Question 1

What is the barrier between the upper and lower airway?

Answer 1

Glottis

Question 2

This is the only muscle that ABDUCTS the vocal ligaments

Answer 2

Posterior cricoarytenoid muscles

Question 3

What is the most narrow part of the adult and pediatric airways?

Answer 3

Pediatric - cricoid cartilage

Adults - glottis

Question 4

Normal mouth opening distance

Answer 4

30-40mm (2-3 FB)

Question 5

Precautions for nasal airways

Answer 5

Epistaxis and anticoagulants
Nasal and basilar skull fractures
Adenoid hypertrophy

Question 6

Big caution with oral airways

Answer 6

LARYNGOSPASM

Question 7

Posterior cricoarytenoid

Answer 7

Only abductor of the cords!!

Opens the glottis

Question 8

Lateral cricoarytenoid

Answer 8

Adducts the cords

Question 9

Arytenoids

Answer 9

Closes the glottis (esp the posterior)

Question 10

Crycothyroid

Answer 10

Produces tension and elongates the cords

Question 11

Thyroarytenoid

Answer 11

Shortens and relaxes the cords

Question 12

Sensory and Motor Function of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve (Internal branch)

Answer 12

Sensory only!!

• Base of tongue
• Epiglottis
• Supraglottic mucosa
• 2 joints (thyroepiglottic and cricothyroid joints)

Question 13

Sensory and Motor Function of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve (External branch)

Answer 13

Sensory:
- Anterior subglottic mucosa

Motor:
- Cricothyroid muscle (adductor/tensor)

Question 14

Sensory and Motor Function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve

Answer 14

Sensory:
Subglottic mucosa
Muscle spindles

Motor:
Thyroarytenoid
Lateral cricothyroid
Interarytenoid
Posterior arytenoid

Question 15

What should we remember to do before placing a nasal airway?

Answer 15

Lube that sucker up

Question 16

When is a mask case ok?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

When in the induction sequence can an LMA be placed?

Answer 17

After loss of lash reflex and confirmation of mask ventilation

Question 18

Who should not have an LMA placed?

Answer 18

Anyone considered a full stomach (parturients, uncontrolled GERD, trauma, acute abdomens, diabetics d/t autonomic neuropathy)