LARYNGOSCOPE

A laryngoscope blade which includes a pair of opposed straight portions 27 and 28 so as to form a generally V shaped blade of shallow included angle wherein the blade is L shaped or Z shaped in cross section throughout at least part of its length whereby when it is inserted in the patient's mouth direct vision of the larynx may be obtained. Preferably the blade is L shaped throughout the major part. A prism for a laryngoscope has a leading end surface 11 a top surface 13 and a trailing end surface 12 in side view. The leading end surface may slope rearwardly at an acute angle to horizontal and thereafter emerge into a top surface which also slopes rearwardly, but at a shallower angle to horizontal before forming the trailing end surface. The end surface may slope downwardly from the top surface. The leading end surface may be short in length compared to the top surface and the trailing end surface may be longer than the leading end surface.