Medical term:

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.

tra·che·a

, pl.

tra·che·ae

(trā'kē-ă, -kē-ē), [TA]

The air tube extending from the larynx into the thorax to the level of the fifth or sixth thoracic vertebra where it bifurcates into the right and left bronchi. The trachea is composed of 16-20 incomplete rings of hyaline cartilage connected by a membrane (anular ligament); posteriorly, the rings are deficient for one fifth to one third of their circumference, the interval forming the membranous wall being closed by a fibrous membrane containing smooth muscular fibers. Internally, the mucosa is composed of a pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with mucous goblet cells; numerous small mixed mucous and serous glands occur, the ducts of which open to the surface of the epithelium.

Synonym(s): windpipe

[G. tracheia artēria, rough artery]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

trachea

(trā′kē-ə)

n. pl. tra·cheae (-kē-ē′) or tra·cheas

1. Anatomy A thin-walled, cartilaginous tube descending from the larynx to the bronchi and carrying air to the lungs. Also called windpipe.

2. Zoology One of the internal respiratory tubes of insects and some other terrestrial arthropods, which are connected to the spiracles and are used for gas exchange.

tra′che·al adj.

trachea

The tubular structure which connects the larynx to the primary bronchi. In non-smokers, it is covered by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, that transfers particulates out of the bronchi and bronchioles, aided by secretions from mucus-producing goblet cells.

Pronunciation
Medspeak-UK: pronounced, truh KEY uh
Medspeak-US: pronounced, TRAY key uh

tra·che·a

, pl. tracheae (trā'kē-ă, -ē) [TA]

The air tube extending from the larynx into the thorax (level of the fifth or sixth thoracic vertebra), where it bifurcates into the right and left main bronchi. The trachea is composed of 16-20 rings of hyaline cartilage connected by a membrane (anular ligament); posteriorly, the rings are deficient for one fifth to one third of their circumference, the interval forming the membranous wall being closed by a fibrous membrane containing smooth muscular fibers. Internally, the mucosa is composed of a pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with mucous goblet cells; numerous small mixed mucous and serous glands occur, the ducts of which open to the surface of the epithelium.
Synonym(s): windpipe.

[G. tracheia artēria, rough artery]

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

trachea

The windpipe. A cylindrical tube of mucous membrane and muscle reinforced by rings of CARTILAGE, that extends downwards into the chest from the bottom of the LARYNX for about 10 cm. The trachea terminates when it branches into two main bronchi.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

trachea

(in vertebrates; also called windpipe) the main tube leading from the glottis in the neck to the point where the bronchia branch to the lungs. It consists of a fibrous pipe supported by C-shaped cartilage rings to prevent collapse when the head is turned.
(in insects) a series of TRACHEOLES by which air is conducted into the body from external openings called spiracles. See also TRACHEAL GILL.
(in plants) see XYLEM VESSEL.

trachea

an empty tube formed from the longitudinal fusion of several cells with strong walls reinforced with LIGNIN, whose function is the mass transport of water for TRANSPIRATION. Vessels are aggregated into XYLEM tissue within the VASCULAR BUNDLES of ANGIOSPERMS.

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

tra·che·a

, pl. tracheae (trā'kē-ă, -ē) [TA]

Air tube extending from larynx into thorax to level of the fifth or sixth thoracic vertebra where it bifurcates into right and left bronchi.
Synonym(s): windpipe.

[G. tracheia artēria, rough artery]

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