Learn about the different conditions that affect the trachea , the main airway to the lungs, and how they impact respiratory function and health. Find out the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for tracheitis, stenosis, tracheomalacia, fistula, tumors, foreign bodies, trauma, compression, GERD, and more. The trachea , commonly known as the windpipe, is a cylindrical tube that serves as a vital part of the respiratory system. It is approximately 10-12 centimeters in length and 2-2.5 centimeters in diameter in adults. The trachea is made of cartilage rings, smooth muscle, and connective tissue, which help maintain its structure and keep the airway open for the passage of air. Learn about the trachea , or windpipe, a fibrocartilaginous tube of the lower respiratory tract. It transports air in and out of the lungs and protects the respiratory tract. Find out its structure, blood supply, innervation and common disorders. The trachea is a U-shaped structure that is composed of hyaline cartilage on the anterior and lateral walls, with the trachealis smooth muscle forming the posterior border of the trachea . The entire tracheal lumen is lined by ciliated pseudostratified columnar and goblet cells that create the tracheal mucosa. The trachea is part of the conducting airway system that begins immediately inferior to the larynx connected to the cricothyroid cartilage (C6 level) by the cricotracheal ligament ...
