A laryngoscope has a blade pivoted to a handle, and a light emitter lamp on the blade powered from a battery power source. A block formation at the rear end of the blade, at which it is pivoted to the head of the handle, incorporates a power source housing for the battery. The power source housing has a cover flap which cannot be opened in the operating position of the blade, but can be opened for removal of the power source in the folded position, or with the blade detached. This facilitates disposal and recycling. Electrical connectors lead from the power source housing to the light emitter lamp, and the rear end block of the blade has an external switch actuator which engages the head of the handle when the blade is extended to turn on the lamp. The power source, electrical connectors and light emitter may be combined into a discrete lighting module casing incorporated in the blade.