Airway Management Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key airway anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, assessment findings, manual maneuvers, adjuncts, and suctioning equipment based on Chapter 9 lecture notes.

Patent Airway

An airway that is intact and open, allowing unobstructed movement of air into and out of the lungs.

Nasopharynx

The upper region of the pharynx where the nasal passages split into the throat.

Oropharynx

The region of the pharynx where the oral cavity or mouth joins the throat.

Laryngopharynx

Also known as the hypopharynx; the structures surrounding the entrance to the trachea that form the point of division between the upper and lower airway.

Glottic Opening

The entry point into the larynx that is protected by the epiglottis and defined by the vocal cords, marking the boundary between upper and lower airways.

Epiglottis

A large, leaflike structure above the glottic opening designed to seal off the trachea during swallowing or in response to the gag reflex.

Thyroid Cartilage

Shieldlike cartilage that protects the front of the larynx and forms the Adam's apple.

Cricoid Ring

A complete circle of cartilage forming the lower aspect of the larynx and providing structure to the superior trachea.

Trachea

A tube protected by $16$ rings of cartilage that extends from the glottic opening to the mainstem bronchi.

Carina

The anatomical branching point where the trachea divides into the left and right mainstem bronchi.

Alveoli

Tiny, grapelike clusters of sacs surrounded by pulmonary capillaries at the end of the airway where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

Bronchoconstriction

The constriction of smooth muscle in the lower airway that decreases internal diameter and increases resistance to airflow; also called bronchospasm.

Stridor

A high-pitched, whistling sound generated by severely restricted air movement in the upper airway, indicating a partial or near obstruction.

Hoarseness

A voice change caused by narrowing of upper airway passages around the vocal cords, often serving as an ominous sign of progressive tissue swelling.

Snoring

The sound generated by upper airway soft tissues causing partial impedance to airflow, frequently indicating decreased mental status and loss of airway muscle tone.

Gurgling

The sound produced when air is forced through fluid such as vomit, blood, or secretions in the airway, signaling an immediate need for suctioning.

Head-Elevated, Sniffing Position

An optimal airway alignment achieved in a supine patient by placing roughly $1.5\text{--}2$\,$\text{inches}$ ($3\text{--}5$\,$\text{cm}$) of padding behind the head to bring the ear level with the suprasternal notch.

Head-Tilt, Chin-Lift Maneuver

A manual airway procedure that tilts the head back and lifts the chin forward to align airway structures and clear tongue obstruction; contraindicated if head, neck, or spinal injury is suspected.

Jaw-Thrust Maneuver

A manual airway procedure that opens the airway by pushing the angles of the lower jaw forward without tilting or rotating the head or neck; recommended when spinal injury is suspected.

Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA)

A curved plastic airway adjunct inserted into the mouth of a patient without a gag reflex to displace the tongue forward and maintain an open passage to the pharynx.

Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)

A flexible airway adjunct inserted through the nostril into the pharynx to assist in maintaining an open airway, which can be tolerated by patients who retain a gag reflex.

Gag Reflex

An involuntary retching or vomiting reflex triggered by stimulation of the pharynx, requiring immediate removal of an oropharyngeal airway.

Suctioning

The method of using a vacuum device to remove foreign materials, blood, vomitus, and other liquid secretions from the airway.

Mounted Suction System

An ambulance-installed suction unit required to provide an air intake of at least $30$\,$\text{liters per minute}$ and generate a vacuum of no less than $300$\,$\text{mmHg}$ when clamped.

Yankauer

A rigid pharyngeal suction tip (also known as a tonsil-tip suction) designed for controlled suctioning of the mouth and pharynx.

French

A unit of measure for the sizing of flexible suction catheters, where a higher number denotes a larger catheter diameter.