Which device is a retroglottic airway?

Which device is a retroglottic airway?

• A. King Airway
• B. i-gel
• C. Supraglottic airway
• D. Endotracheal tube

Answer: (A)

Retroglottic airways sit behind the glottic opening, with the device extended into the pharynx so ventilation reaches the trachea without crossing the glottis. The King Airway is designed to sit in the mouth and extend behind the glottis into the upper esophagus, creating a conduit for ventilation to the lungs (and a route for gastric drainage). That positioning makes it a retroglottic device. In contrast, the i-gel sits over the laryngeal inlet (above the glottis, a true supraglottic device), and an endotracheal tube passes through the glottis into the trachea. So they aren’t retroglottic.

Retroglottic airways sit behind the glottic opening, with the device extended into the pharynx so ventilation reaches the trachea without crossing the glottis. The King Airway is designed to sit in the mouth and extend behind the glottis into the upper esophagus, creating a conduit for ventilation to the lungs (and a route for gastric drainage). That positioning makes it a retroglottic device.

In contrast, the i-gel sits over the laryngeal inlet (above the glottis, a true supraglottic device), and an endotracheal tube passes through the glottis into the trachea. So they aren’t retroglottic.