Airway: Pediatric vs Adult

Definition

Pediatric Airway Anatomy
Obligate Nasal Breathers
Large Tongue
Large Occiput
Larynx and Trachea are funnel shaped
Vocal Cords slant anteriorly
Larynx located higher in neck (at C4 vs. C6 in adults)
Narrowest part of the pediatric airway is at cricoid cartilage (until age 5). In adults the narrowest part is at the glottis opening
Glottis Location Different:

Premature Babies at C3
Newborns C3-C4
Adults C5

Subspecialty

Pediatric Anesthesia

Related Media

Keyword history

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See Also:

Sources

Miller R. Pediatric anesthesia. Miller’s Anesthesia. 6th ed. 2005. Elsevier, Churchill, Livingston. pp. 2384-8

PubMed

William L McNiece, Stephen F Dierdorf The pediatric airway. Semin. Pediatr. Surg.: 2004, 13(3);152-65