Abstract
The lateral recovery position is widely used in prehospital and clinical settings to help maintain airway patency in unconscious patients who are breathing spontaneously. Tracheal anatomy and asymmetries in respiratory structures, along with gravitational effects on soft tissues, may influence the efficacy and safety of this positioning. Clinical nuances related to the setting and secondary health concerns interestingly create disagreement on preferred side for lateral placement. This article explores the anatomical and physiological considerations that support the lateral recovery position—focusing on tracheal asymmetry and its implications for airway patency—along with emergency medical practices in medical versus dental emergencies. It also explores the discrepancies between right versus left lateral recovery positions across disciplines. Drawing on emergency medical practices and dental-medical anatomical knowledge, we review current literature, propose areas for clinical inquiry, and describe field-based insights.
Recommended Citation
Regis, John; Saxe, Steven; Ciccotelli, Jason; Richter, Saskia; and Immonen, Jessica
(2026)
"The Lateral Recovery Position in Medical vs Dental Emergencies,"
The Journal of Integrative Physiology: Vol. 2:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.alma.edu/jip/vol2/iss1/5
Included in
Anatomy Commons, Emergency Medicine Commons, Medical Anatomy Commons, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Commons, Physiology Commons