Airway management mnemonic

Predicting a difficult laryngoscopy and intubation

The mnemonic

LEMON

What each word stands for

  • LLook externally — small mandible, large tongue, short neck, facial trauma
  • EEvaluate 3-3-2 — mouth opening, mandible length and hyoid to thyroid notch distances in fingerbreadths
  • MMallampati class III or IV
  • OObstruction or obesity — tumour, abscess, epiglottitis
  • NNeck mobility — limited extension, for example cervical spine injury

Why it matters clinically

A positive assessment prompts a plan for a difficult airway before induction.

Where it stops being reliable

Predicts difficulty but has modest sensitivity; unexpected difficult airways still occur.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Airway management mnemonic?

LEMON. It helps you recall: Predicting a difficult laryngoscopy and intubation.

What does "L" stand for?

Look externally — small mandible, large tongue, short neck, facial trauma

What does "E" stand for?

Evaluate 3-3-2 — mouth opening, mandible length and hyoid to thyroid notch distances in fingerbreadths

What does "M" stand for?

Mallampati class III or IV

What are all the parts of the LEMON mnemonic?

L: Look externally — small mandible, large tongue, short neck, facial trauma; E: Evaluate 3-3-2 — mouth opening, mandible length and hyoid to thyroid notch distances in fingerbreadths; M: Mallampati class III or IV; O: Obstruction or obesity — tumour, abscess, epiglottitis; N: Neck mobility — limited extension, for example cervical spine injury.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Airway management in Anaesthesia.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

Predicts difficulty but has modest sensitivity; unexpected difficult airways still occur.

How is this useful clinically?

A positive assessment prompts a plan for a difficult airway before induction.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a Anaesthesia question about Airway management.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.