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Maturational Descent of the Epiglottis

Maturational Descent of the Epiglottis Abstract Background: Otolaryngologists and anesthesiologists have described a maturational descent of the epiglottis that occurs in infancy and childhood. Objective: To investigate the changing level of the epiglottis to confirm and characterize this phenomenon more completely. Design: A survey of 500 images with 338 images selected for the study. Setting: A tertiary care facility. Patients: Asymptomatic children aged 1 day to 18 years. Main Outcome Measure: The position of the tip of the epiglottis was correlated with the cervical vertebral level. Results: Data indicate that maturational descent of the epiglottis starts in infancy and continues into adolescence. These results are statistically significant (P<.01). Conclusion: Maturational descent of the epiglottis occurs in a predictable pattern. Understanding this phenomenon may facilitate laryngoscopic, as well as clinical and radiologic, evaluation of the airway in children.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1997;123:627-628 References 1. Sasaki CT, Levine PA, Laitman JT, Crelin ES Jr. Postnatal descent of the epiglottis in man . Arch Otolaryngol. 1977;103:169-171.Crossref 2. Westhorpe RN. The position of the larynx in children and its relationship to the case of intubation . Anaesth Intensive Care . 1987;15:384-388. 3. Symington J. On the relations of the larynx and trachea to the vertebral column in the foetus and child . J Anat Physiol. 1885;19:286-291. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery American Medical Association

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References (3)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0886-4470
eISSN
1538-361X
DOI
10.1001/archotol.1997.01900060069012
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract Background: Otolaryngologists and anesthesiologists have described a maturational descent of the epiglottis that occurs in infancy and childhood. Objective: To investigate the changing level of the epiglottis to confirm and characterize this phenomenon more completely. Design: A survey of 500 images with 338 images selected for the study. Setting: A tertiary care facility. Patients: Asymptomatic children aged 1 day to 18 years. Main Outcome Measure: The position of the tip of the epiglottis was correlated with the cervical vertebral level. Results: Data indicate that maturational descent of the epiglottis starts in infancy and continues into adolescence. These results are statistically significant (P<.01). Conclusion: Maturational descent of the epiglottis occurs in a predictable pattern. Understanding this phenomenon may facilitate laryngoscopic, as well as clinical and radiologic, evaluation of the airway in children.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1997;123:627-628 References 1. Sasaki CT, Levine PA, Laitman JT, Crelin ES Jr. Postnatal descent of the epiglottis in man . Arch Otolaryngol. 1977;103:169-171.Crossref 2. Westhorpe RN. The position of the larynx in children and its relationship to the case of intubation . Anaesth Intensive Care . 1987;15:384-388. 3. Symington J. On the relations of the larynx and trachea to the vertebral column in the foetus and child . J Anat Physiol. 1885;19:286-291.

Journal

Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck SurgeryAmerican Medical Association

Published: Jun 1, 1997

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