JBL EMT Practice Exam

Relative to an adult's airway anatomy, the child's:

1. mouth and nose are proportionately larger.

2. pharynx is smaller and less deeply curved.

3. tongue takes up less space in the pharynx.

4. trachea is smaller, softer, and less flexible.

The correct answer is: mouth and nose are proportionately larger.

In comparison to an adult's airway anatomy, a child's mouth and nose are proportionately larger. This is because children have smaller faces relative to the size of their airways, hence the mouth and nose appear larger in proportion. This anatomical difference is important to consider when providing airway management to pediatric patients, as it can impact how airway interventions such as ventilation or intubation are approached. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because in children, the pharynx is actually smaller and more acutely curved, the tongue takes up relatively more space in the pharynx, and the trachea is softer and more flexible compared to adults. These differences are significant considerations when providing airway management to pediatric patients.