Anatomic differences between the pediatric and adult airway

Relative to adults, children have 1) large tongues relative to the size of the oral cavity 2) larger tonsils and adenoids 3) a more superior location of the larynx in the neck 4) a larger and floppy epiglottis and 5) the narrowest portion of the airway functionally occuring below the vocal cords. All of these differences make endotracheal intubation in children potentially more difficult than in adults.