Obstruction Flashcards
what separates the upper respiratory tracts from the lower
the vocal chords
what is a cricothyroidectomy
is an incision made through the skin and cricothyroid membrane
what is a tracheostomy
creating an airway in the trachea in emergency- last resort
what is the glottis
term for both the vocal chords
where is the sub glottis
below the glottis, above the cricoid
what is the posterior thyroarytenoid muscle
pulls vocal cords apart
what are the differences in the airway of children and babies
have large heads and small nostrils are obligate nasal breathers relatively large tongue small, soft larynx epiglottis is at the level of the palate- C1 weak neck muscles floppy head narrow subglottis
why are babies obligate nose breathers
so they can feed and breath at same time
what is the air flow resistance theory
the narrower the tube the more resistance- harder to breath
what can cause airway obstruction
inflammation/ infection/ allergy foreign bodies physical compression/invasion of airway trauma (can cause laryngospasm also), iatrogenic trauma neuro causes burn congenital pathology
were can you get recession when you are struggling to breath
sternal
subcostal
what colour can skin go in airway obstruction
dusty
what is tracheal tug
sign of airway obstruction- abnormal downwards movement of the trachea
define stridor
high pitched harsh noise due to turbulent airflow resulting from airway obstruction
happens on inhalation
define stertor
low pitched sonorous (deep) sound arising from nasopharyngeal airway also inhalation
