Which statement about the infant airway compared with the adult airway is true?

Which statement about the infant airway compared with the adult airway is true?

• A. The larynx is at the C5-C6 level in infants and C6-C7 in adults
• B. The epiglottis is relatively small in infants compared with adults
• C. The glottic opening is more anterior in infants than in adults
• D. The vocal cords are in a more horizontal position within the larynx in infants than in adults

Answer: (C)

Infants have a higher and more anteriorly positioned larynx than adults, so the glottic opening sits further forward in the neck. This anterior glottic position affects airway management: when visualizing the larynx during intubation, clinicians often adjust head position and use technique and blade choices that favor a direct view of the glottis. In infants, the epiglottis is relatively large and floppy, which also influences the approach—straight blades that lift the epiglottis directly are commonly favored to improve exposure. In contrast, the larynx in infants is not located at the lower C5–C6 level, the epiglottis is not relatively small, and the vocal cords aren’t in a more horizontal orientation than in adults.

Infants have a higher and more anteriorly positioned larynx than adults, so the glottic opening sits further forward in the neck. This anterior glottic position affects airway management: when visualizing the larynx during intubation, clinicians often adjust head position and use technique and blade choices that favor a direct view of the glottis. In infants, the epiglottis is relatively large and floppy, which also influences the approach—straight blades that lift the epiglottis directly are commonly favored to improve exposure. In contrast, the larynx in infants is not located at the lower C5–C6 level, the epiglottis is not relatively small, and the vocal cords aren’t in a more horizontal orientation than in adults.