The invention provides an artificial airway device to facilitate lungventilation of a patient, comprising at least oneairway tube (2) and a mask (3) carried at one end of the at least one airwaytube, the mask having a peripheral formation (7)capable of conforming to, and of readily fitting within, the actual andpotential space behind the larynx of the patient so as to form aseal around the circumference of the laryngeal inlet, the peripheral formationsurrounding a hollow interior space or lumen of themask and the at least one airway tube opening into the lumen of the mask,wherein the mask is arranged to provide a space withinthe pharynx of the patient for the drainage of gastric matter leaving theoesophagus, which space approximates to the pharyngealspace that occurs within the pharynx without the mask being present in thepharynx, the effect of which is to re-establish thenormal flow of matter exiting the oesphagus in the event of regurgitation orvomiting when the mask is present in the pharynx.
