Editing Inhalational anesthetic (section)

{{Short description|Volatile or gaseous anesthetic compound delivered by inhalation}}
[[File:Fluranebottles.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Bottles of [[sevoflurane]], [[isoflurane]], [[enflurane]], and [[desflurane]], the common fluorinated [[ether]] anesthetics used in clinical practice. These agents are colour-coded for safety purposes. Note the special fitting for desflurane, which [[Boiling point|boils]] at [[Standard temperature and pressure|room temperature]].]]

An '''inhalational anesthetic''' is a chemical compound possessing [[general anesthetic]] properties that is delivered via inhalation. They are administered through a face mask, [[laryngeal mask airway]] or [[tracheal tube]] connected to an [[anaesthetic vaporiser|anesthetic vaporiser]] and an [[anesthetic machine|anesthetic delivery system]]. Agents of significant contemporary clinical interest include [[Volatility (chemistry)|volatile]] anesthetic agents such as [[isoflurane]], [[sevoflurane]] and [[desflurane]], as well as certain anesthetic gases such as [[nitrous oxide]] and [[xenon]].