An oropharyngeal airway inserted into a man's throat

An oropharyngeal airway or (OPA) is a medical device used to maintain a patent (open) airway. It does this by preventing the tongue from (either partially or completely) covering the epiglottis. Oropharyngeal airways come in a variety of sizes, from infant to adult, and are used mostly in a pre-hospital setting. The airways are those parts of the respiratory system through which air flows, to get from the external environment to the alveoli. ... The tongue is the large bundle of skeletal muscles on the floor of the foot that manipulates food for chewing and swallowing, (deglutition). ... Haha u cant see this b/c wiess The epiglottis is a thin, lid-like flap of cartilage tissue covered with a mucous membrane, attached to the root of the tongue, that guards the entrance of the glottis, the opening between the vocal cords. ...

Oropharyngeal airways ("Oral" airway) are usually indicated for unconscious casualties, because there is a high probability that they will stimulate the patient's gag reflex. This could lead to an obstructed airway should the patient vomit. Thus, when dealing with conscious or semi-conscious patients it is usually recommended to use a nasopharyngeal airway. In medicine, a nasopharyngeal airway, also known as a nasal trumpet because of its flared end, is a tube that is designed to be inserted into the nasal passageway to secure an open airway. ...

The OPA is measured against the patient's head (from the earlobe to the corner of the oral opening) and then inserted into the patient's mouth upside down. Once contact is made with the back of the throat, the airway is rotated 180 degrees, allowing for easy insertion, and assuring that the tongue is secured. Measuring is very important, as the flared ends of the airway must now rest securely against the oral opening in order to remain secure.

This piece of equipment is utilized by CFRs, EMTs, and paramedics when intubation is either not available, or not advisable. The term CFR, when used by itself, can refer to: Campaign finance reform Căile Ferate Române, the state railway of Romania the United States Code of Federal Regulations the Council on Foreign Relations the incoterm Cost and Freight Certified first responder This page concerning a three-letter acronym... EMT can mean: Efficient market theory, a theory about financial markets. ... Typical view of the defibrillator operator. ... Intubation being practiced on a dummy (conventional technique using a laryngoscope). ...