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Nasal Cannula

A nasal cannula is a flexible plastic tube that has a set of two prongs that can be placed in the nostrils. The tube is connected to an oxygen source.

Oxygen passes through the tube, through the openings in the prongs, and into the nostrils.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Jennifer Merchant, MD - Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Last Revised April 27, 2011

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 27, 2011
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