trachea

Definition : The trachea, colloquially called the windpipe, is a cartilaginous tube that connects the pharynx and larynx to the lungs, allowing the passage of air, and so is present in almost all air-breathing animals with lungs. The trachea extends from the larynx and branches into the two primary bronchi. At the top of the trachea the cricoid cartilage attaches it to the larynx. This is the only complete tracheal ring, the others being incomplete rings of reinforcing cartilage. The trachealis muscle joins the ends of the rings and these are joined vertically by bands of fibrous connective tissue – the annular ligaments of trachea. The epiglottis closes the opening to the larynx during swallowing.

Images

 https://twitter.com/chioseasi/status/735785026424610816

Components

 tracheal rings

Pathology

 tracheal malformations
 tracheal anomalies
 tracheal lesional syndromes
 tracheal diseases
 tracheal tumors

Videos

 Histology of the trachea

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See also

 fetal trachea