Morphological Features of the Pediatric Larynx

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  • Miyamoto Makoto
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine
  • Saito Koichiro
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine
  • Okuba Yuzuru
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine
  • Nakagawa Hideki
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology, Seibo International Catholic Hospital

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Other Title
  • 小児喉頭の形態学的特徴の検討
  • ショウニ コウトウ ノ ケイタイガクテキ トクチョウ ノ ケントウ

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Abstract

<p>The pediatric larynx has the following definitive characteristics: the larynx in children is higher than in adults;the larynx is small and narrow as an airway; the epiglottis is soft and omega-shaped; and the aryepiglottic folds are shorter. Of the morphological features of the pediatric larynx, in this study we examined the morphology of the epiglottis and the length of the aryepiglottic folds retrospectively using flexible nasolaryngoscopic videos. The subjects were 282 patients generally treated as children and under 15 years of age during the 5-year period from May 2017 to April 2022, who visited our department of otorhinolaryngology. Of the 282 patients, 105 (37.2%) were found to have the omega-shaped epiglottis, and in neonates, infants, and pre-school children, it was found in one-third to one-half of the patients. A flat epiglottis similar to the epiglottis in adults was found not only in schoolchildren but also in neonates and infants. The morphology of the epiglottis was not significantly different between genders, but age and the presence of underlying disease resulted in significant differences. These findings suggested that the length of the aryepiglottic folds may serve as a subjective means of evaluation. The omega-shaped epiglottis was observed using an indirect laryngoscope. It is difficult to get a clear view and understand the laryngeal features using a flexible nasolaryngoscope. We believe it is easier to understand the epiglottis's omega shape if it is described together with the curled epiglottis.</p>

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