The aim of this study was to find out if laryngeal obstruction could be assessed by measuring the glottic area using computed tomography (CT). Results from model studies were compared with those from twelve patients with laryngeal diseases. Determination of the orolaryngeal airway resistance (Rol) was used as a reference method. The correlation between airway resistance and area in both the model and among the patients was consistent, with a curvilinear relationship. The results indicate that it is possible to measure the area of a short obstruction by CT and that this area determines the degree of obstruction.