2007-05-02 01:11:32 · 5 answers · asked by rozzieotter2002 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Because the diameter of the trachea is smaller in children, resistance to airflow is greater. Normally this is of little import, but in diseases where the airway swells, especially at the level of the vocal cords - croup is the classic example - it is very significant, even life threatening.
It's been almost five decades since I studied physics, but I think airflow resistance in a tube varies inversely to the fourth power of the radius. Hence a small narrowing increases the resistance greatly. You could look this up.
2007-05-02 01:46:26 · answer #1 · answered by greydoc6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they are smaller so they are much more aceptible to choking or having an airway obstruction.
2007-05-02 01:18:58 · answer #2 · answered by firegirl90 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they are smaller in proportion to their size and can become obstructed easier.
2007-05-02 02:06:46 · answer #3 · answered by KitKat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are more posterior (farther back for intubation purposes), and smaller in diameter.
2007-05-02 01:16:16 · answer #4 · answered by grapelady911 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are still growing and changing.
2007-05-02 01:23:59 · answer #5 · answered by Dolly 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋