the trachea Flashcards
What is the length of the trachea, and where does it end?
The trachea (windpipe) is about 10–12 cm (4 inches) long and extends down to the level of the fifth thoracic vertebra, approximately midchest.
What gives the trachea its rigidity?
The trachea is reinforced with C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage, which give it rigidity.
What is the function of the C-shaped cartilage rings in the trachea?
The open parts of the C-shaped cartilage rings face posteriorly and allow the esophagus to expand anteriorly when swallowing food. The solid portions support the trachea walls and keep it patent (open) during breathing.
What is the role of the trachealis muscle?
The trachealis muscle lies next to the esophagus and completes the wall of the trachea posteriorly, allowing for flexibility and movement.
Why is tracheal obstruction life-threatening?
Back:
Tracheal obstruction is life-threatening because the trachea is the only pathway for air to enter the lungs, and a blockage prevents breathing.
What is the Heimlich maneuver, and how does it help in cases of choking?
The Heimlich maneuver uses the air in a person’s lungs to expel an obstructing piece of food or object, helping to clear the airway and prevent suffocation.
Why is it important to learn the Heimlich maneuver by demonstration?
The Heimlich maneuver can cause cracked ribs if performed incorrectly, so it is best learned through a demonstration to ensure proper technique.
What is an emergency tracheostomy, and why is it needed in some cases?
An emergency tracheostomy involves creating a surgical opening in the trachea to provide an alternative route for air to reach the lungs in cases of obstructed breathing.
Why do individuals with tracheostomy tubes need frequent suctioning?
After a tracheostomy, individuals often produce large amounts of mucus due to irritation in the trachea. Frequent suctioning is required to prevent mucus from pooling in the lungs.
What lines the trachea and what is its function?
The trachea is lined with a ciliated mucosa that helps move mucus, which traps dust and debris, away from the lungs.
What do the cilia in the trachea do?
The cilia in the trachea beat continuously in a superior direction, propelling mucus and trapped debris away from the lungs toward the throat.
What role do goblet cells play in the trachea?
Goblet cells in the trachea produce mucus, which helps trap dust particles and other debris from the air.
What effect does smoking have on the cilia in the trachea?
Smoking inhibits and eventually destroys the cilia in the trachea, preventing them from clearing mucus and debris.
What happens when cilia are destroyed by smoking?
Without the cilia, coughing becomes the only way to prevent mucus accumulation in the lungs.
Why should smokers with respiratory congestion avoid medications that inhibit the cough reflex?
Smokers with respiratory congestion should avoid medications that inhibit the cough reflex because coughing is their primary way of clearing mucus from the lungs.
