This document provides guidance on emergency airway access and anatomy of the neck. It explains that the center of the neck is a safe place to access the airway and it is better to notch the thyroid cartilage and survive than die from asphyxia. Anatomical diagrams show the location of the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, arytenoid cartilage, and vocal cords, indicating these structures are safe to cut in an emergency situation. The document advises to not consider nerves during emergency access and identifies the carotid sheath as another important anatomical structure.

1. Practical Anatomy for Emergency
Airway Access
Dr. Richard Lewis MBBS FRACS
Dept. Of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery,
Royal Perth Hospital

2. The centre of the neck is a safe place

3. It’s better to notch is witheasiest than die from
The thyroid survive the a scar, bit of anatomy
asphyxia
to feel.

5. Thyroid cart.
Arytenoid
cart.
Cricoid cart.
Anterior view
Vocal Cord
Cricoid cart.
Posterior view
This is all safe to cut
Sagittal Section

6. Don’t even think about nerves

8. And finally, the carotid sheath!
Carotid / IJV
Carotid / IJV