A patient is assessed preoperatively using the original Mallampati classification while sitting upright with the mouth maximally open and tongue protruded without phonation. The soft palate and the base of the uvula are visible, but the uvula itself is obscured by the root of the tongue. This corresponds to which Mallampati class?

• A Class I
• B Class III ✓
• C Class II
• D Class IV

Explanation

In the modified Mallampati test, Class I shows the entire palate, fauces and uvula; Class II shows the palate and part of the uvula; Class III shows only the soft palate and the base of the uvula; Class IV shows only the hard palate. Seeing the soft palate and base of uvula but not the uvula itself is therefore Class III, which correlates with an increased likelihood of a difficult laryngoscopy.

Reference: Morgan and Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.