AIRWAY Flashcards
(105 cards)
What are the intrinsic muscles of the larynx?
Cricothyroid, Vocalis, Thyroarytenoid, Lateral Cricoarytenoid, Posterior Cricoarytenoid, Aryepiglottic, Interarytenoid
These muscles are responsible for vocal cord tension, length, and position.
What is the function of the cricothyroid muscle?
Tenses and elongates the vocal cords by tilting the thyroid cartilage
Innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.
Which intrinsic muscle is responsible for adjusting tension in the vocal cords?
Cricothyroid and Thyroaryntenoid such as the Vocalis Muscle,
It is part of the thyroarytenoid muscle and is innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
What is the function of the thyroarytenoid muscle?
Relaxes and shortens vocal cords, aiding in voice modulation
Innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
True or False: The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the only abductor muscle of the vocal cords.
True
Its dysfunction can lead to vocal cord paralysis.
What is the primary function of the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle?
Adducts vocal cords, narrows the rima glottidis
Important in producing vocal sounds and airway protection.
What are the unpaired cartilages of the larynx?
Thyroid Cartilage, Cricoid Cartilage, and epiglottis
Thyroid cartilage is the largest, while cricoid cartilage forms the base of the larynx.
What is the function of the arytenoid cartilages?
Critical in vocal cord movement and voice production
They are small, pyramid-shaped, and paired.
What role does the trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V1) play in airway innervation?
Innervates the anterior two-thirds of the nasal cavity and nasal septum
Provides sensation to the anterior part of the nasal mucosa and soft palate.
Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for the afferent aspect gag reflex?
Glossopharyngeal Nerve (Cranial Nerve IX)
It also carries taste sensation from the posterior third of the tongue.
What does the superior laryngeal nerve innervate?
Provides sensory innervation to the larynx above the vocal cords and motor innervation to the cricothyroid muscle
Injury can lead to changes in voice pitch and difficulty in swallowing.
What are the symptoms of unilateral vocal cord paralysis?
Hoarseness, ineffective cough, aspiration risk
Caused by damage to one recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Fill in the blank: The Mallampati classification was developed by Dr. _______.
Seshagiri Mallampati
It is a non-invasive test to assess airway management challenges.
What does a higher Mallampati score indicate?
Increased difficulty in intubation
Specifically, scores III and IV are associated with more challenges.
What is the significance of the thyromental distance in airway management?
Guides selection of intubation tools and techniques
A shorter distance may indicate a difficult airway.
What does an adequate inter-incisor gap suggest?
Normal jaw mobility, facilitating easier laryngoscopy and intubation
Adequate gap is ≥3-4 cm.
What does Class C indicate in the mandibular protrusion test?
Lower incisors cannot reach the edge of the upper teeth, indicating potentially difficult intubation
Class A indicates easy intubation, while Class B suggests intermediate difficulty.
What is the importance of atlanto-occipital joint mobility in intubation?
Crucial for achieving the ‘sniffing position’
Limited mobility can make intubation more challenging.
What is the Cormack and Lehane score used for?
Assessing laryngeal view during intubation
It helps predict the ease of intubation.
What are the implications of limited mobility for intubation?
Limited mobility can indicate a difficult airway and may necessitate alternative approaches or equipment.
Preoperative assessment of neck mobility, including the atlanto-occipital joint, is essential for planning airway management.
What is the Cormack and Lehane Score used for?
It is a grading system for assessing the view of the glottis during laryngoscopy.
The score ranges from Grade I (full view) to Grade IV (no view).
What does a higher Cormack and Lehane Score indicate?
Higher grades indicate a more difficult intubation.
What are the limitations of the Cormack and Lehane Score?
It is subjective and may vary with patient positioning and the skill of the provider.
What is the goal of the sniffing position?
To provide a great view for intubation.