Thursday, 22 October 2015

Upper Airways of Neonate | PGI entrance Preparations

True about upper airways of neonate 
A. Cricoid is narrowest part 
B. Laryngx extend from C4 to C6 
C. Epiglottis is big & omega shaped 
D. All of the above.
E. None of the above


Ans.  (C) Epiglottis is big & omega shaped 
• Larynx lies opposite to 2nd, 3rd and 4th cervical vertebra at birth. It descends from basiocciput during fetal life at six weeks.
At 6 yrs :itis opposite the 5th cervical vertebra.
At puberty: it is opposite the 6th cervical vertebra
In Adult :from C3 to C6.
• Epigloltis is less rigid, and folded longitudinaly at the free lateral edges, although base is broad. Growth proceeds, chondrification stiffens epiglottis, longitudinal fold opens. So cartilage become omega shaped, persists throughout the childhood.

* Narrowest area of larynx is subglotis in neonate while cricoid in adult.