The Pediatric Airway

Abstract This chapter reviews the developmental anatomy and physiology of the pediatric upper airway as it relates to the practice of pediatric anesthesia. Differences between the pediatric and adult airways are important determinants of anesthetic techniques. Knowledge of normal developmental anatomy and physiologic function is required to understand and manage both the normal and the pathologic airways of infants and children. Techniques of mask ventilation, oral and nasal airway placement, use of supraglottic devices, and tracheal intubation are reviewed for normal and anatomically abnormal pediatric patients.