Trachea

trachea /tra·chea/ (tra´ke-ah) pl. tra´cheae   [L.] windpipe; the cartilaginous and membranous tube descending from the larynx and branching into the left and right main bronchi.tra´cheal

---

tra·che·a (trk-)

n. pl. tra·che·as or tra·che·ae (-k-)

The airway that extends from the larynx into the thorax where it divides into the right and left bronchi. It is composed of thin incomplete rings of hyaline cartilage connected by a membrane called the annular ligament. Also called windpipe.

---

trache·al adj.

---

Trachea

The tube that leads from the larynx or voice box to two major air passages that bring oxygen to each lung. The trachea is sometimes called the windpipe.

Mentioned in: Bronchoscopy, Choking, Croup, Epiglottitis, Heimlich Maneuver, Inhalation Therapies, Laryngitis, Thoracoscopy, Tracheotomy

---

trachea (trā´kē),

n the windpipe; a cartilaginous and membranous tube extending from the lower end of the larynx to its division into two bronchi.

---

trachea

the air passage extending from the larynx to the main bronchi; called also the windpipe.

This tube is reinforced by a series of C-shaped rings of cartilage that keep the passage uniformly open. The gaps between the rings are bridged by strong fibroelastic membranes. The arms of the C are bridged by the tracheal muscle which can vary the luminal diameter.

The trachea is lined with mucous membrane bearing cilia that continously sweep foreign material out of the breathing passages toward the mouth.