TYK116
What is the level of the infant’s larynx?
a) C2-3
b) C3-4
c) C4-5
d) C5-6
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Answer
Answer b.
In an infant, the larynx is located at the level of C3-4, as compared to an adult’s larynx, which is at the level of C4-5. This is clinically significant as it creates a more acute angle between the oral, laryngeal and tracheal axes, making laryngoscopy more difficult. Additionally, the more cephalad location of the larynx makes the infant more prone to oropharyngeal obstruction.
Notes
- This question originally printed in the Pediatric Anesthesiology Review Topics kindle book series, and appears courtesy of Naerthwyn Press, LLC.
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