trachea (redirected from tracheate)

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

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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.

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trache·al adj.

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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

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trachea

[trā′kē·ə]

Etymology: Gk, tracheia, rough artery

a nearly cylindric tube in the neck, composed of C-shaped cartilage and membrane and trachealis muscle, that extends from the larynx at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra to the fifth thoracic vertebra, where it divides into two bronchi. The trachea conveys air to the lungs. It is about 11 cm long and 2 cm wide. The ventral surface of the tube is covered in the neck by the isthmus of the thyroid gland and various other structures, such as the sternothyroideus and the sternohyoideus. Dorsally the trachea is in contact with the esophagus. Also called windpipe. See also primary bronchus. tracheal, adj.

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trachea [tra´ke-ah] (pl. tra´cheae)

the air passage extending from the throat and larynx to the main bronchi; it is about 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wide and 10 cm (4 in) long and is reinforced at the front and sides 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 trachea is lined with mucous membrane covered with small hairlike processes called cilia that continuously sweep foreign material out of the breathing passages toward the mouth, a process retarded by cold but speeded by heat. Called also windpipe. adj., adj tra´cheal.

Although the trachea is closed off by the lidlike epiglottis during swallowing, a foreign body such as a piece of meat occasionally becomes lodged in the trachea and causes choking. If a heimlich maneuver does not succeed in dislodging the foreign body, emergency tracheostomy (surgical incision of the trachea) may be necessary. Another reason for tracheostomy is in order to insert a tube for passage of air when the trachea is obstructed by swelling due to infection or allergic reaction, by accumulation of tracheobronchial secretions, or by a growth such as a polyp or tumor.

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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.

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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.