title: Oropharyngeal volumes.
abstract: The volume of the mouth and pharynx was measured in 20 cadavers and ranged from 25 to 202 ml with a median value of 87 ml, a mean of 90.7 ml and a geometric (logarithmic) mean of 78.3 ml. The volume that encompasses 99% of the normal population is estimated as 215 ml if the assumption of a normal Gaussian distribution is made, or 342 ml [corrected] if a log-normal distribution is assumed. Collection containers in suction equipment intended for removing vomit from the pharynx and mouth in adults should have a useable volume of at least 500 ml.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Lyell McEwin Health Service, Elizabeth Vale, South Australia.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Newcombe
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation*