Artificial airway
Encyclopedia
An artificial airway is a term used to describe a medical technique or tool applied to maintain an open (patent) airway for a person who otherwise is unable to maintain their own for various reasons.
. When a patient becomes unconscious, the muscles in the jaw commonly relax and can allow the tongue to slide back and obstruct the airway. The purpose of the flared end is to prevent the device from becoming lost inside the patient's head.
. It does this by preventing the tongue
from covering the epiglottis
, which could prevent the person from breathing. When a person becomes unconscious, the muscles in their jaw relax and allow the tongue to obstruct the airway.
" and the removal of the tube "extubation".
is reserved for emergency access and can be done percutaneously by a paramedic
, physician or respiratory therapist, or surgically by a physician or respiratory therapist.
. Tracheostomy tubes are well tolerated and often do not necessitate any use of sedative drugs. Tracheostomy tubes may be inserted early during treatment in patients with pre-existing severe respiratory disease, or in any patient who is expected to be difficult to wean from mechanical ventilation, i.e., patients who have little muscular reserve. A tracheostomy is typically only placed by a physician.
and inflated. This tube does not enter the trachea.
Nasopharyngeal airway
A nasopharyngeal airway, also known as an NPA or a nasal trumpet because of its flared end, a type of airway adjunct, is a tube that is designed to be inserted into the nasal passageway to secure an open airwayAirway
The pulmonary airway comprises those parts of the respiratory system through which air flows, conceptually beginning at the nose and mouth, and terminating in the alveoli...
. When a patient becomes unconscious, the muscles in the jaw commonly relax and can allow the tongue to slide back and obstruct the airway. The purpose of the flared end is to prevent the device from becoming lost inside the patient's head.
Oropharyngeal airway
An oropharyngeal airway (also known as an oral airway, OPA or Guedel pattern airway) is a medical device called an airway adjunct used to maintain a patent (open) airwayAirway
The pulmonary airway comprises those parts of the respiratory system through which air flows, conceptually beginning at the nose and mouth, and terminating in the alveoli...
. It does this by preventing the tongue
Tongue
The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...
from covering the epiglottis
Epiglottis
The epiglottis is a flap that is made of elastic cartilage tissue covered with a mucous membrane, attached to the entrance of the larynx. It projects obliquely upwards behind the tongue and the hyoid bone, pointing dorsally. The term, like tonsils, is often incorrectly used to refer to the uvula...
, which could prevent the person from breathing. When a person becomes unconscious, the muscles in their jaw relax and allow the tongue to obstruct the airway.
Endo-tracheal tube
An endo-tracheal tube is a tube inserted through the mouth or nose down into the trachea and secured to maintain a patent airway for a person. The term used to describe the method of placement of a tracheal tube is "intubationIntubation
Tracheal intubation, usually simply referred to as intubation, is the placement of a flexible plastic or rubber tube into the trachea to maintain an open airway or to serve as a conduit through which to administer certain drugs...
" and the removal of the tube "extubation".
Cricothyrotomy
Cricothyrotomy — A person requiring emergency airway management, in whom tracheal intubation has been unsuccessful, may require an airway inserted through a surgical opening in the cricothyroid membrane. A cricothyrotomyCricothyrotomy
A cricothyrotomy is an incision made through the skin and cricothyroid membrane to establish a patent airway during certain life-threatening situations, such as airway obstruction by a foreign body, angioedema, or massive...
is reserved for emergency access and can be done percutaneously by a paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
, physician or respiratory therapist, or surgically by a physician or respiratory therapist.
Tracheostomy
Tracheostomy — When a person requires mechanical ventilation for several months or has difficulty protecting their airway naturally, a tracheostomy may provide the most suitable access to the trachea. A tracheostomy is a surgically created passage into the tracheaVertebrate trachea
In tetrapod anatomy the trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the pharynx or larynx to the lungs, allowing the passage of air. It is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium cells with goblet cells that produce mucus...
. Tracheostomy tubes are well tolerated and often do not necessitate any use of sedative drugs. Tracheostomy tubes may be inserted early during treatment in patients with pre-existing severe respiratory disease, or in any patient who is expected to be difficult to wean from mechanical ventilation, i.e., patients who have little muscular reserve. A tracheostomy is typically only placed by a physician.
Laryngeal mask airway
A laryngeal mask airway is an airway placed into the mouth and set over the glottisGlottis
The glottis is defined as the combination of the vocal folds and the space in between the folds .-Function:...
and inflated. This tube does not enter the trachea.