What it means
An x-ray finding in which swelling below the vocal cords narrows the windpipe to a point. It is the classic picture of croupkroopA viral infection of the voice box, windpipe and large airways, mostly in young children.Full entry in young children. A different finding, the "thumb sign" (a swollen epiglottis on a side-view x-ray), points to epiglottitisep-ih-glot-TY-tisInflammation and swelling of the epiglottis, the flap of tissue that covers the windpipe during swallowing.epiglott epiglottis-itis inflammationFull entry .
For the nurse
X-rays are not always needed; the child's breathing is what matters. Keep a child with stridor calm and upright on the caregiver's lap.
Related terms
stridor
A high-pitched, harsh sound made while breathing, usually heard when breathing in.
croup
A viral infection of the voice box, windpipe and large airways, mostly in young children.
epiglottitis
Inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis, the flap of tissue that covers the windpipe during swallowing.