Compared with adults, the infant epiglottis is relatively:

Compared with adults, the infant epiglottis is relatively:

• A. Large
• B. Small
• C. Similar in size
• D. Absent

Answer: (A)

In infants, the airway has relatively larger soft-tissue structures, so the epiglottis itself is large in proportion to the airway. It’s also longer and more floppy (often omega-shaped) than in adults, which means it can intrude into the view of the glottic opening and moves more with airway manipulation. This is why pediatric airway management often relies on a straight blade to lift the epiglottis directly and why visualization can be more challenging despite the smaller overall airway. The epiglottis is not absent, nor is it about the same size or smaller; its relative size in infants is the key idea.

In infants, the airway has relatively larger soft-tissue structures, so the epiglottis itself is large in proportion to the airway. It’s also longer and more floppy (often omega-shaped) than in adults, which means it can intrude into the view of the glottic opening and moves more with airway manipulation. This is why pediatric airway management often relies on a straight blade to lift the epiglottis directly and why visualization can be more challenging despite the smaller overall airway. The epiglottis is not absent, nor is it about the same size or smaller; its relative size in infants is the key idea.