👄 Mallampati Classification
Predict difficult laryngoscopy from the oropharyngeal view (Mallampati).
Clinical takeaway
Class III–IV predicts higher difficulty.
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When to use
Airway assessment before anaesthesia or intubation.
How it works
Class I–IV by visible structures (I: pillars/uvula visible … IV: only hard palate).
Key points
- Class III–IV predicts higher difficulty.
- One of several airway predictors — combine them.
- A reassuring class doesn't exclude a difficult airway.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Mallampati class | I — soft palate, fauces, uvula, pillars visible |
|---|
→MallampatiClass I
- Interpretation：Class I–II — lower predicted difficulty.
| Mallampati class | IV — only hard palate visible |
|---|
→MallampatiClass IV
- Interpretation：Class III–IV is associated with a higher risk of difficult laryngoscopy/intubation.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Mallampati Classification?
- Predict difficult laryngoscopy from the oropharyngeal view (Mallampati).
- How is Mallampati Classification calculated? What is the core formula?
- Class I–IV by visible structures (I: pillars/uvula visible … IV: only hard palate).
- When is Mallampati Classification used?
- Airway assessment before anaesthesia or intubation.
- What are the key clinical points for Mallampati Classification?
- Class III–IV predicts higher difficulty. One of several airway predictors — combine them. A reassuring class doesn't exclude a difficult airway.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Mallampati Classification?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Mallampati Classification calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Mallampati class I — soft palate, fauces, uvula, pillars visible → Result: Mallampati Class I（Interpretation: Class I–II — lower predicted difficulty.） Inputs: Mallampati class IV — only hard palate visible → Result: Mallampati Class IV（Interpretation: Class III–IV is associated with a higher risk of difficult laryngoscopy/intubation.）