Trachea - description , structure, syntopy (draw scheme), tracheotomy
The Trachea (trachea) is part of the lower respiratory tract. It is a cartilaginous tube about 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter and about 10-11 cm long that connects the larynx to the bronchi. It connects caudally to the larynx. It starts at the level of the ``vertebra C6 and through the apertura thoracis superior enters the chest, where it also ends as a bifurcatio tracheae (fork), approximately at the level of the 4th-5th thoracic vertebra. At this point is the Carina tracheae (keel), which is actually the sagittal horizontal edge from the inside of the trachea. At the same time, this carina divides the continuation of the trachea into two bronchi (bronchi).
Structures[edit | edit source]
The trachea is a hollow tube that is made up of:
- Cartilagines tracheales - 15-20 hyaline cartilages, each horseshoe-shaped, with opening oriented dorsally.
- Annular ligamnet (trachealia) - connect the individual cartilages.
- Paries membranaceus - the back wall of the trachea, connects both ends of the cartilages and is made up of tissue with collagenous and elastic fibers and also smooth muscle, collectively referred to as musculus trachealis.
- Adventitium - the outer cover of the trachea made of thin tissue, at the same time it fixes the trachea in position and connects it to the esophagus and the thin tissue of the surrounding space.
- Epithelium - ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with goblet cells. This forms the inner lining of the trachea. This helps trap particles from air to pass into the lungs. The trapped particles are then removed by a coughing reflex.
Vasculature[edit | edit source]
The arterial supply of the trachea is from the branches of the inferior thyroid artery. The venous blood is drained by the inferior thyroid venous plexus.
Tracheotomy[edit | edit source]
Tracheotomy is when you surgically create an artificial through the neck and into the trachea. This is done to help the lungs fill up with air. After the cut / incision has been formed, a tube is inserted through it. A person who undergoes this procedure will breathe through a tube rather than nose and mouth.
Tracheotomy is done when there is a problem of air getting into the lungs. An emergency tracheotomy may be done when someone has an acute illness or a form of injury that blocks their airway. Someone with a chronic illness that blocks their airway or affects their breathing muscles may also need to undergo this procedure.
Some examples of problems that may require this procedure to occur are -
- Tumour in the neck region
- Infection
- Narrowing of airways
- Large tongue or small jaw that blocks the airway
- Neck or mouth injuries
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Diaphragm dysfunction
References[edit | edit source]
- CIHÁK, Radomír – GRIM, Miloš. Anatomy. 2. edition. Grada Publishing, 2009. ISBN 80-247-0143-X.
