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Quantitative Characterization of Cadaveric Larynges Using 3‐Dimensional Modeling
Author(s) -
Lewis Christina C
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.897.4
Subject(s) - anatomy , cadaveric spasm , cadaver , larynx , medicine , gross anatomy , epiglottis , airway , neurovascular bundle , surgery
Airway management procedures are a fundamental aspect of anesthetic practice of emergency and critical care medicine. Performing these procedures requires an excellent working knowledge of the typified gross anatomy of the airways, as well as many of the normal variations in proportionality that often occur. While some variations in laryngeal anatomy have been described, such as the gender dimorphisms for the thyroid laminae and the volume of preepiglottic and paraglottic spaces, the scope of anatomical variation is not well appreciated. The present study seeks to expand the working knowledge of variations in laryngeal anatomy and geometry, using 3‐dimensional modeling and high powered quantitative analysis tools. To this end, 7 adult larynges were excised from embalmed cadavers (4F: 3M, ages 64–93, mean 82) and carefully dissected. The causes of death varied, but none directly involved the airways or larynx. The larynges were subsequently scanned using an HDI Advance R1X 3D Scanner ( GoMeasure 3D, Amherst, VA ) and the resultant 3‐dimensional models were analyzed via Geomagic Free Form software (3D Systems; Rock Hill, South Carolina ). Quantitative analyses of the laryngeal cartilages is currently underway, and a combination of gross parameters, including length, height, width, internal dimension, and angulation will be determined for the thyroid, cricoid, arytenoid, and epiglottic cartilages. Additionally, the laryngeal musculature will be analyzed for volume, fiber bundle length, and pennation angle. Results from the current study will expand the knowledge base of the clinical anatomy of the airways, and potentially inform individual airway management procedures and approaches.