Objective To evaluate the application of McGrath videolaryngoscope by comparing it and the Macintosh laryngoscope for laryngeal viewing in patients receiving cervical vertebral surgery．Methods Fifty patients scheduled for elective cervical vertebral surgery were enrolled in this randomized crossover study．After induction，the patients’glottis in group MG was displayed by Macintosh laryngoscope and the Cormack Lehane (C/L) grade was recorded，and then McGrath videolaryngoscope was employed to display the laryngeal structure．The order of laryngoscopy attempts was reversed in group M．Parameters recorded included demographics，airway assessment features(thyromental distance，mouth opening，mallampati oropharyngeal scale and neck movement)，C/L grade and injury of upper airway．Results There were no significant difference in demographics and airway assessment features between the 2 groups．The C/L grade obtained with McGrath videolaryngoscope was 34：14：2 (Ⅰ：Ⅱ：Ⅲ)，which was significantly better than that with Macintosh laryngoscope(13：32：5，P＜0.01)．There was significant association between airway assessment features(mallampati oropharyngeal scale and neck movement) and C/L grade (P＜0.05)．Conclusion The McGrath videolaryngoscope has better laryngeal viewing than those of Macintosh laryngoscope，and may have potential advantages in managing the intubation for cervical vertebral surgery．