How Do You Spell CRICOTHYREOTOMY?

1. Cricothyrotomy is a medical procedure that involves creating a semi-permanent or temporary opening in the cricothyroid membrane for the purpose of establishing an alternative airway in emergency situations. The cricothyroid membrane is the area located between the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage in the neck.

   This procedure is performed when conventional methods of establishing an airway, such as intubation, are not feasible or have failed. It is typically used in situations where time is of the essence, and the patient is experiencing acute respiratory distress or failure.

   To perform a cricothyrotomy, a small incision is made through the skin and the cricothyroid membrane. A specialized tube, called a cricothyrotomy tube, is then inserted through the opening to allow airflow directly into the trachea. This procedure bypasses the upper airway and is considered a last resort for maintaining oxygenation.

   Cricothyrotomy is normally performed under local anesthesia, meaning the patient is partially or completely awake during the procedure. It is a high-risk procedure that requires proper training and expertise to avoid potential complications, such as bleeding or injury to surrounding structures.

   Overall, cricothyrotomy is an emergency airway management technique used when all other methods fail, aiming to provide an immediate and lifesaving means of maintaining the necessary airflow and oxygenation in critically ill patients.

2. Division of the cricoid and thyroid cartilages.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for CRICOTHYREOTOMY

The word "cricothyreotomy" is derived from two Greek roots: "crico", which refers to the cricoid cartilage in the larynx, and "thyreo", which refers to the thyroid cartilage in the larynx. The suffix "-tomy" is added to indicate a surgical incision or cutting. Therefore, the etymology of "cricothyreotomy" can be broken down as follows:

- "Crico" (from Greek "krikos"): referring to the cricoid cartilage.

- "Thyre" (from Greek "thurēoeidēs"): referring to the thyroid cartilage.

- "-tomy" (from Greek "-tomia"): indicating a surgical incision.

In medical terminology, "cricothyreotomy" specifically refers to the surgical procedure of making an incision through the cricothyroid membrane to establish an emergency airway.

Similar spelling word for CRICOTHYREOTOMY