Paediatric A&P Flashcards
Anatomically speaking, children are basically little adults with very similar anatomy and physiology. True or false?
False. Their anatomy varies in many ways.
NEONATE refers to a child aged between birth and how many days?
28 days. (Irrespective of any degree of prematurity).
Define In-Utero.
In the uterus / Before birth.
Define Newborn.
From delivery until first few hours after birth.
Define Infant.
First 12 months from birth (including neonatal period).
Define Child.
From first birthday to age of 18.
Infants and young children rely on the diaphragm to breathe more than adults do. True or false?
True.
Children have proportionately smaller heads than adults. True or false?
False. They have proportionately larger heads.
Infants are obligate mouth breathers. True or false?
False. They are obligate nose breathers.
Do Children have a larger and more flaccid tongue than adults?
Yes.
Define Occiput.
The back of the head. (Posterior).
Define Cephalid.
Towards the top of the head.
Is the epiglottis more or less cephalid as a child than it is as an adult?
More.
Is the epiglottis more or less elongated and flexible as a child, compared to an adult?
More.
Which anatomical structure is the narrowest part of the funnel-shaped airway?
Cricoid cartilage.
Are the mucous membranes attached loosely or tightly within the Larynx and Trachea?
Loosely.
Name 6 anatomical differences that may cause problems maintaining airway patency.
- Narrow nostrils
- Large tongue
- Loose teeth
- Compressible floor of mouth
- Horseshoe shaped epiglottis
- High anterior larynx
As a result of infants being obligate nasal breathers, obstruction of their narrow nostrils will cause severe respiratory what?
Respiratory distress.
Why is it better to use a straight bladed laryngoscope during intubation in infants?
Because of the position of the higher anterior positioning of the larynx and the large horseshoe shaped epiglottis.
Is the airway smaller or larger in infants, compared to adults?
Much smaller.
Infants have a soft palate that is more compressible, pliable and what else?
Highly vascular.
Relative to the oropharynx, the tongue in an infant is smaller compared to an adult. True or false?
False.
The larynx in infants and toddlers is relatively what in position?
Cephalad. (Anterior)
The epiglottis in infants and toddlers is short and narrow. Is it angled away or toward the long axis of the trachea?
Angled away.
Do the vocal cords have a lower or higher attachment anteriorly?
Lower.
In adults, the larynx is triangular shaped. What shape is it for children 10 years and younger?
Funnel shaped.
Compared to adults, are the upper and lower airways larger & laboriously obstructed or smaller and easily obstructed?
Smaller and easily obstructed.
Is the trachea in children long and hard or short and soft?
Short and soft.
The relatively equal incidence of right and left-sided aspiration of foreign bodies in smaller children (as opposed to adults) is predominantly due to what factor?
Symmetrical bronchi. (They are symmetrical until the age of roughly 15).
Infants rely on what type of breathing method?
Diaphragmatic. (Therefore their muscles tire earlier than adults).
Do children have a higher or lower metabolic rate?
Higher.
Do children consume more or less oxygen.
More.
Do children produce more or less CO2 production?
More.
Does the respiratory rate increase or decrease throughout childhood to adulthood?
It decreases.
What is the approximate respiratory rate for an infant aged <1 years?
a) 25-35
b) 30-40
c) 35-45
b) 30-40.