laryngoscope

Other forms: laryngoscopes

A laryngoscope is what a doctor uses to examine your larynx, or voice box. Most often, a laryngoscope is inserted through the mouth of a sedated patient.

If a patient is having trouble breathing, doctors may decide to insert a breathing tube — this procedure requires the use of a laryngoscope. Another emergency use of the instrument is when a patient needs to be resuscitated after a heart attack. Often, a laryngoscope is used when the doctor simply needs to get a better look at the larynx. The root of the word laryngoscope is the Greek larynx, "upper windpipe," from laimos, "throat."