The trachea is the long, hollow, smooth muscle tube that runs down the chest and branches off into left and right bronchi.
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a key part of the respiratory system. It connects the larynx (voice box) to the lungs and carries air in and out of the lungs. The trachea is lined with cilia, which sweep fluids and foreign particles out of the airway to keep them out of the lungs.
The trachea is a flexible tube that is composed of hyaline cartilage on the anterior and lateral walls. The posterior wall of the trachea is formed by the trachealis smooth muscle.
The trachea splits into the left and right bronchus within the lungs. These are further divided into bronchioles, which are smaller branches. The bronchioles that are the smallest end in tiny air sacs.
