ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Anderson's rule

Anderson's rule is a simple formula used to estimate the size of a person's airway. Airway means the path that air takes when we breathe in and out.

Now imagine a straw, when you blow into it, air travels easily through it. Similarly, our airway is like a straw in our body through which we breathe in and out. But sometimes, a person's airway can be tricky to manage, especially during surgery or in emergency situations. Doctors use different formulas to estimate the size of a person's airway to ensure that they can breathe properly.

Anderson's rule is one such formula that uses a person's body weight to estimate the size of their airway. It is based on the idea that people who are larger in size have larger airways, just as a large straw allows for more air to travel through it than a small straw.

So, let's say your weight is 50 kilograms (or around 110 pounds), and you need some medical attention that requires the doctor to estimate the size of your airway. The doctor will use Anderson's rule and multiply your weight by 4. This will give them an approximation of the size of your airway in millimeters. In this case, 50 kgs x 4 = 200 millimeters. This estimate is then used to select the appropriate equipment, such as a breathing tube, to help you breathe, ensuring that you receive the right amount of oxygen.

In simpler terms, Anderson's rule is like a magic formula that helps doctors determine the size of your airway by just knowing how much you weigh. It is important because it helps doctors select the right equipment to assist you in breathing properly.