During direct laryngoscopy for orotracheal intubation, the Cormack–Lehane grade III view is defined as:
- A Full glottis visible
- B Posterior half of the glottis and arytenoids visible
- C Only the epiglottis visible, no part of the glottis seen ✓
- D Neither glottis nor epiglottis visible
Correct answer: C. Only the epiglottis visible, no part of the glottis seen
Explanation
The Cormack–Lehane grading describes the best laryngoscopic view: Grade I — full glottis visible; Grade II — posterior glottis and arytenoids visible; Grade III — only the epiglottis visible, no glottic structures; Grade IV — neither epiglottis nor glottis visible. Grade III and IV are associated with difficult intubation. Grade III mandates an alternative technique such as a video laryngoscope, intubating LMA, or awake fibreoptic intubation in elective cases.
Reference: Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 6th ed.
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