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Trachea - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 15:56, 19 August 2008
, 15:56, 19 August 2008→Structure
*The trachea contains numerous rings of [[Bones and Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Hyaline Cartilage|hyaline cartilage]] which are C-shaped, being dorsally incomplete, connected to eachother by elastic connective tissue. The ends of the incomplete rings are joined by smooth muscle - ''Trachealis'' muscle.
*The trachea contains numerous rings of [[Bones and Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Hyaline Cartilage|hyaline cartilage]] which are C-shaped, being dorsally incomplete, connected to eachother by elastic connective tissue. The ends of the incomplete rings are joined by smooth muscle - ''Trachealis'' muscle.
**The structural conformation of the trachea prevents collapse due to traction forces, whilst allowing it to adjust in length and diameter as the neck moves and the [[Diaphragm - Anatomy & Physiology|diaphragm]] contracts.
**The structural conformation of the trachea prevents collapse due to traction forces, whilst allowing it to adjust in length and diameter as the neck moves and the [[Diaphragm - Anatomy & Physiology|diaphragm]] contracts.
*The trachea's walls are made up of a number of layers: Inner Mucosa, Fibrocartilaginous middle layer, and and adventitia (in the neck) or serosa (in the thorax).
*The trachea's walls are made up of a number of layers: Inner Mucosa, Fibrocartilaginous middle layer, and adventitia (in the neck) or serosa (in the thorax).
*The inner mucosa contains glands which produce mucus. This mucus traps debris and is constantly moved upwards towards the [[Oral Cavity - Oropharynx - Anatomy & Physiology|oropharynx]] where it is swallowed. This mechanism is known as the [[Respiratory Epithelium - Anatomy & Physiology#Mucociliary Escalator|''Muco-Ciliary escalator'']].
*The inner mucosa contains glands which produce mucus. This mucus traps debris and is constantly moved upwards towards the [[Oral Cavity - Oropharynx - Anatomy & Physiology|oropharynx]] where it is swallowed. This mechanism is known as the [[Respiratory Epithelium - Anatomy & Physiology#Mucociliary Escalator|''Muco-Ciliary escalator'']].