Airway Flashcards
The end of the mac blade connects to what anatomical part?
Vallecula
Mac (macintosh) vs. Miller blade
Mac is curved, miller is straight
What is the epiglottis function and where is it located
Closes during swallowing to prevent aspiration, located at C3 (end of oropharynx, start of larynx)
What are the functions of the nasal passages?
Humidify, filter, and warm
Where is the larynx and what are its functions
Larynx from C3 (epiglottis) to C6 (cricoid)
Protects airway, respiration, phonation
Nasopharynx is innervated by which nerve?
Trigeminal (CN5), opthalmic and maxillary divisions
What are the 9 cartilages that make up the larynx?
2x arytenoid, 2x corniculate, 2x cuneiform, thyroid, cricoid, epiglottis
Which nerve supplies the posterior 1/3 of tongue and oropharynx to vellecula?
CN9- Glossopharyngeal
All intrinsic muscles of the larynx are supplied by which nerve (and which branch), except for which muscle?
RLN (recurrent laryngeal nerve) of Vagus Nerve (CN X)
Exception: cricothyroid muscle is SLN (superior) on external branch
What landmark is at C6?
Cricoid cartilage
Intrinsic laryngeal muscles that adduct and abduct glottis
lateral cricoarytenoid- adduct (close)
arytenoids- adduct (close)
posterior cricoarytenoid- abduct (open)
intrinsic laryngeal muscles that put tension on vocal ligaments
cricothyroid- elongates (high pitch) vocal cords (only SLN-external!)
vocalis- shortens (low pitch) vocal cords
thyroarytenoid- shortens (low pitch) and relaxes vocal cords
extrinsic laryngeal muscles that move hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage
Sternohyoid, thyrohyoid, omohyoid - move hyoid caudad (down)
Sternothyroid - move thyroid cartilage caudad
does right or left bronchus have the smaller angle? (which are you more likely to intubate?)
Right bronchus
Mallampati’s stages
Class 1: uvula exposed (best), we see glottic opening and vocal cords
Class 2: base of uvula visible, we see glottic opening and vocal cords
Class 3: soft palate visible, we see arytenoids
Class 4: only hard palate visible, we see epiglottis only (use miller blade)
Normal Thyromental distance and what distance is considered a contributing factor to a more difficult intubation?
Thyromental distance: from lower mandible to thyroid notch, with neck fully extended, normally 6cm/ 4 fingerbreadths
difficult intubation at 3 or less fingerbreadths
For someone who is determined to be a difficult intubation, what is the alternative to giving succinylcholine?
Awake intubation with airway blocks, airway block will abolish gag reflex and hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy