trachea

/trə'ki:ə/

Thân thiện

The doctor points to the trachea on the anatomical chart.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The windpipe: The main airway that carries inhaled air from the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi and lungs in vertebrates, including humans. It is a tube reinforced by rings of cartilage.
   • A respiratory tubule in arthropods: One of the fine, air-conducting tubes that form the respiratory system in most insects and many arachnids (e.g., spiders).

Usage

• The word "trachea" is a countable noun. Its standard plural form is tracheae (pronounced /trəˈkiːiː/ or /ˈtreɪkiˌiː/), especially in scientific contexts. The plural tracheas is also acceptable in general use.
• It is primarily used in medical, biological, and anatomical contexts.

Examples

• Human/Vertebrate Anatomy:
  • During the procedure, a tube was inserted into the patient's trachea to help him breathe.
  • The trachea branches into two smaller tubes called the bronchi.
• Zoology/Entomology:
  • Oxygen is delivered directly to the tissues through a network of tracheae in insects.
  • The spider's tracheal system is highly efficient for its size.

Advanced Usage

• "Tracheal" (adjective): Pertaining to the trachea.
  • The doctor suspected a tracheal infection.
  • Insects have a tracheal system for respiration.
• In medical terminology, inflammation of the trachea is called tracheitis.

Variants and Related Words

• Tracheae (n): The plural form of trachea.
• Tracheal (adj): Relating to the trachea.
• Tracheotomy (n): A surgical incision into the trachea, often to create an airway.
• Tracheostomy (n): A surgically created opening in the trachea into which a tube is inserted.
• Intubate (v): To insert a tube into the trachea to maintain an open airway.

Synonyms

• Windpipe: The common, non-technical synonym for the vertebrate trachea.
• Airway: A more general term that can include the trachea.

Notes on Different Meanings

The word "trachea" has two distinct meanings based on context: 1. In vertebrate anatomy (including humans): It refers specifically to the single, cartilaginous tube known as the windpipe. 2. In invertebrate zoology: It refers to the many small, branching tubes in the respiratory system of arthropods. In this context, it is almost always used in the plural form tracheae.

Học thuật

Noun

1. one of the tubules forming the respiratory system of most insects and many arachnids
2. membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi

Từ đồng nghĩa

• windpipe