Anatomy
trachea Audio
tra·che·a [ trey-kee-uh, truh-kee-uh ]
Subclass of:
Respiratory System
Etymology:
Greek tracheia = rough
Tracheia bears the feminine ending to agree with arteria. The ancients believed that arteries contained air; Aristotle called the arteries smooth, while he named the windpipe a rough artery.
Definitions related to trachea:
  • Cartilaginous and membranous tube descending from the larynx and branching into the right and left main bronchi.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • The airway that leads from the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi (large airways that lead to the lungs).
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • The cartilaginous and membranous tube descending from the larynx and branching into the right and left main bronchi.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • The fibrocartilaginous tube extending from the larynx to the bronchi.
    CDISC Terminology
    Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), 2021
  • The fibrocartilaginous, mucous-lined tube passing from the larynx to the bronchi.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • This discussion of tracheal anatomy covers the following aspects: Development of the Human Trachea: Highlights of the different periods of embryonic and fetal development Gross anatomy: The structure, dimensions, and anatomic relationships, as well as the neurovascular and lymphatic supply of the upper airway; differences between the...
    Medscape
    WebMD, 2025
  • Trachea, in vertebrates and invertebrates, a tube or system of tubes that carries air. In insects, a few land arachnids, and myriapods, the trachea is an elaborate system of small, branching tubes that carry oxygen to individual body cells; in most land vertebrates, the trachea is the windpipe...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.