[Reflections on the technique of inserting the esophagoscope (author's transl)].

Due to the muscular attachments of the hyoid bone to the posterior part of the base of the skull, and the larynx to the sternum, the larynx will be pressed posteriorly against the vertebral column if the head is kept in a reclined position. This causes a greater resistance when trying to open the hypopharynx with the esophagoscope. If, however, the head is held forward, this resistance will be considerably reduced.