ABSTRACT
Although the airways of adults and children have the same anatomical components, there are differences due to the relative sizes of the structures, which are important when managing airway problems in children:
• the occiput is large with a relatively short neck resulting in flexion of the neck; • the face is relatively small; • the tongue is large and obstructs the airway with ease; • the floor of the mouth is soft allowing digital compression to occur;
• the trachea is short and relatively straight making intubation of the right main bronchus easier than in adults.
