Laryngotomy
Encyclopedia
Laryngotomy is the surgical operation of cutting into the larynx
, possibly with specialized equipment such as a laryngotome. The surgical creation of a permanent opening in the larynx is referred to as laryngostomy. Laryngotomy is an important procedure in assisting respiration when the upper part of the airway
has been obstructed.
Larynx
The larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...
, possibly with specialized equipment such as a laryngotome. The surgical creation of a permanent opening in the larynx is referred to as laryngostomy. Laryngotomy is an important procedure in assisting respiration when the upper part of the airway
Airway
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...
has been obstructed.
- For inferior laryngotomy or emergency laryngotomy, see CricothyrotomyCricothyrotomyA 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...
. - For median laryngotomy involving cutting of the thyroid cartilageThyroid cartilageThe thyroid cartilage is the largest of the nine cartilages that make up the laryngeal skeleton, the cartilage structure in and around the trachea that contains the larynx....
, see Thyroidotomy.