Which airway device is inserted through the mouth and the pharynx?

The oropharyngeal airway is specifically designed to be inserted through the mouth into the pharynx. It serves the crucial purpose of maintaining an open airway by preventing the tongue from obstructing the flow of air to the trachea. This is particularly useful in unconscious patients or those who are unable to keep their airway open themselves.

When correctly placed, the oropharyngeal airway provides an unobstructed passage for air to flow freely into the lungs. It has a specific shape with a bite block and a curved structure, allowing for efficient placement. In contrast, while the other airway devices mentioned serve various functions, they do not utilize the same pathway through the mouth to the pharynx as the oropharyngeal airway does. For instance, the nasopharyngeal airway is inserted through the nose, the endotracheal tube is advanced through the trachea, and the laryngeal mask airway is positioned over the laryngeal opening but does not involve passage through the mouth to the pharynx in the same way.