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Dana S. Schwartz, MD; Marc S. Keller, MD

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1997;123(6):627-628.

Abstract
Background
Otolaryngologists and anesthesiologists have described a maturational descent of the epiglottis that occurs in infancy and childhood.

Objective
To investigate the changing level of the epiglottis to confirm and characterize this phenomenon more completely.

Design
A survey of 500 images with 338 images selected for the study.

Setting
A tertiary care facility.

Patients
Asymptomatic children aged 1 day to 18 years.

Main Outcome Measure
The position of the tip of the epiglottis was correlated with the cervical vertebral level.

Results
Data indicate that maturational descent of the epiglottis starts in infancy and continues into adolescence. These results are statistically significant (P<.01).

Conclusion
Maturational descent of the epiglottis occurs in a predictable pattern. Understanding this phenomenon may facilitate laryngoscopic, as well as clinical and radiologic, evaluation of the airway in children.

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1997;123:627-628

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.

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