Manuel Garcia is credited with devising the first laryngoscope. Which device did he invent?

Study for the PMLS History of Medical Technology Test. Explore flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question is accompanied by hints and explanations. Get prepared for your exam!

The key idea here is who first created a tool to look directly at the larynx. Manuel García pioneered indirect visualization of the larynx by using a small mirror inside the mouth with external light to illuminate the throat, allowing him to view the vocal cords for the first time. This made the laryngoscope possible and laid the foundation for modern airway examination. The other devices listed are different inventions by other pioneers: the stethoscope came from René Laennec, the ophthalmoscope from Helmholtz, and the electrocardiograph from Einthoven. García’s innovation was specifically focused on examining the larynx, which is why the laryngoscope is the correct device.