Which statement best describes a difference between pediatric and adult airways?

• A. Children Have Relatively Smaller Tongues, Resulting In Narrower Airways
• B. Children Have Very Narrow Airways Because Of Their Relatively Larger Tongue
• C. Adults Have Narrower Airways Than Children
• D. Children Have Longer Tracheas Than Adults

Answer: (B)

In pediatric airways, a relatively large tongue compared with the size of the mouth makes the passage narrower and more prone to obstruction, especially when muscle tone is reduced during sedation or anesthesia. This proportionally larger tongue is a key factor that differentiates pediatric airways from adult airways and helps explain why airway management in children requires careful positioning and appropriately sized equipment.

It wouldn’t fit to say children have smaller tongues, or that adults have narrower airways, or that children have longer tracheas than adults. The tongue is not smaller in kids; and adults generally have larger airways overall, with the trachea length increasing with growth.