Oropharyngeal airway
Oropharyngeal Airway
The Oropharyngeal Airway (pronounced: or-o-far-in-ge-al air-way), often abbreviated as OPA, is a medical device used to maintain or open a patient's airway. It does this by preventing the tongue from covering the epiglottis, which could prevent the person from breathing.
Etymology
The term "Oropharyngeal" is derived from two Greek words: "oro" meaning mouth, and "pharynx" meaning throat. Thus, "oropharyngeal" refers to the part of the body where the mouth and throat meet.
Usage
The OPA is used in situations where the patient is unconscious or has a decreased level of consciousness and is unable to maintain their airway. It is commonly used in pre-hospital emergency care and during anesthesia.
Related Terms
- Airway Management: The process of ensuring there is an open pathway between a patient’s lungs and the outside world, as well as protecting the lungs from damage and preventing aspiration.
- Epiglottis: A leaf-shaped flap of cartilage located behind the tongue, at the top of the larynx, or voice box. The main function of the epiglottis is to seal off the windpipe during eating, so that food is not accidentally inhaled.
- Aspiration: The inhalation of either oropharyngeal or gastric contents into the lower airways, that is, the act of taking foreign material into the lungs.
- Anesthesia: A state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical purposes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Oropharyngeal airway
- Wikipedia's article - Oropharyngeal airway
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