Laryngoscopes
| What does "Laryngoscope" mean? |
Laryngo = larynx
Scope = to view |
| What does it do? |
It is used to view the larynx |
| Physiology |
The larynx is the area in your airway between the mouth and
the trachea. It is otherwise known as the vocal cords. When
a patient requires artificial ventilation, a tube (“endotracheal
tube”) is inserted into the trachea via the mouth or nose.
When the tube is being inserted the doctor uses a laryngoscope
to gently lift the tongue to see where the tube is going to
ensure the tube goes in the trachea (path to the lungs) and
not the oesophagus (path to the stomach) |
| How it works |
The laryngoscope consists of a handle and a blade. There are
batteries in the handle, which are sometimes rechargeable. There
is a small light bulb either in the handle or the blade. The
laryngoscopes with the bulb in the handle have a fiberoptic
path from the bulb to the end of the blade. When the blade is
pushed into position the light comes on. The blade is inserted
into the mouth and is shaped so that the user can see past the
blade into the larynx. There are different sized blades for
Adults, Children and Neo Nates. Often these different blades
come as a set with one handle |
Picture of equipment |
|
 Laryngoscope |