A laryngoscope is a medical instrument that is used to obtain a view of the glottis by direct laryngoscopy . It consists of a handle (incorporating a battery) and a blade with a source of light.
Direct laryngoscopy is done with the patient lying on his or her back; the larygoscope is inserted into the mouth to push away the tongue and lift the epiglottis so that a view of the glottis is possible. This procedure is most often employed in tracheal intubation. It is painful and is usually not done in conscious patients.
The laryngoscope was invented by Manoel Garcia, Professor of Music, and singing teacher for Jenny Lind, the "Swedish Nightingale".
