trachea
Airway to lungs
The trachea is the windpipe—the tube that carries air from the throat to the lungs.
It's reinforced by cartilage rings that keep it open during breathing.
Medical contexts use trachea; everyday speech prefers windpipe: The doctor examined her trachea for signs of inflammation.
Main breathing tube
- larynxSpeech-producing throat organ
- bronchiMain lung air passages
- pharynxMuscular throat cavity
- esophagusFood tube to stomach
epiglottis · cilia · mucosa · mediastinum · thorax · cervical · membranous · hyaline
Passage for breath
- breathingPulmonary gas exchange
- inhalationTaking breath in
- exhalationBreathing out air
- lungsRespiratory chest organs
oxygen · ventilation · respiration · alveoli · bronchial · pulmonary · diaphragm · breath
Blocked airway condition
- blockageObstruction halting movement
- asphyxiationDeath from oxygen loss
- coughExplosive airway clearing
- wheezeWhistling labored breath
gasp · stridor · foreign body · suffocation · aspiration · lodged · dislodge · obstruct
Placing airway tube
- stomaBody or leaf opening
- stenosisAbnormal bodily narrowing
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
collapsed · narrowing · endotracheal · ventilator · cannula · cricothyrotomy · bronchoscopy · dilation
Vocal fold vibration
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
- speechOral communication ability
- larynxSpeech-producing throat organ
- vocal cordsSound-producing throat membranes
vibration · airflow · pitch · sound production · articulation · voice box · glottis
windpipe
Main breathing tube
esophagus · epiglottis · cilia · mucosa · mediastinum · thorax · cervical · membranous · hyaline · connective tissue
airway
Passage for breath
- breathingPulmonary gas exchange
- inhalationTaking breath in
- exhalationBreathing out air
lungs · oxygen · ventilation · respiration · alveoli · bronchial · pulmonary · diaphragm · breath · inhale
choking
Blocked airway condition
- blockageObstruction halting movement
- asphyxiationDeath from oxygen loss
- coughExplosive airway clearing
wheeze · gasp · stridor · foreign body · suffocation · aspiration · lodged · dislodge · obstruct
intubation
Placing airway tube
- stomaBody or leaf opening
- stenosisAbnormal bodily narrowing
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
obstruction · collapsed · narrowing · endotracheal · ventilator · cannula · cricothyrotomy · bronchoscopy · dilation · reconstruction
phonation
Vocal fold vibration
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
- speechOral communication ability
- larynxSpeech-producing throat organ
vocal cords · vibration · airflow · pitch · sound production · articulation · voice box · glottis
tracheaesophagus
Food tube to stomach
gullet · oesophagus · food pipe · alimentary canal · pharynx