What type of airway obstruction is indicated by stridor?

Stridor is a harsh, grating sound typically heard during inhalation, which indicates a narrowing or partial obstruction of the upper airway, especially in the throat or larynx. This sound arises when airflow is restricted, usually due to swelling of the tissues in the airway, which can happen for several reasons, such as an infection, an allergic reaction, or other inflammatory processes.

In this scenario, a partial obstruction allows some air to pass through, which is why you can hear stridor. If it were a complete obstruction, airflow would be severely compromised, and stridor would not occur, as there would be no air movement to create the noise. Understanding stridor as a sign of partial obstruction is critical in emergency medicine, as it guides responders in assessing the airway's condition and determining appropriate interventions.

Conditions that can cause stridor include croup in children, epiglottitis, or even foreign body obstruction. Recognizing the importance of stridor in assessing airway status helps emergency medical responders prioritize their treatment and ensure timely interventions.