The Cormack-Lehane grading system classifies laryngoscopic views. A Grade 3 view corresponds to:
- A Full view of glottis — no aids required
- B Partial view of glottis — posterior commissure visible
- C Epiglottis only visible — no part of glottis seen ✓
- D Epiglottis not visible
Correct answer: C. Epiglottis only visible — no part of glottis seen
Explanation
The Cormack-Lehane system grades laryngoscopic view: Grade 1 — full glottis visible; Grade 2a — posterior commissure visible; Grade 2b — only arytenoids visible; Grade 3 — epiglottis seen but no part of the glottis; Grade 4 — neither epiglottis nor glottis visible. Grade 3 and 4 define a difficult laryngoscopic intubation. Grade 3 views can often be converted to successful intubation using a bougie, external laryngeal manipulation (backward-upward-rightward pressure, BURP), or video-laryngoscopy. Grade 4 requires front-of-neck access if intubation is critical.
Reference: Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 6th ed.
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