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The airways are those parts of the respiratory system
Respiratory system

A respiratory system?s function is to allow gas exchange. The space between the alveoli and the capillaries, the anatomy or structure of the exchange system, and the precise physiological uses of the exchanged gases vary depending on the organism....
 through which air flows, to get from the external environment to the alveoli.

The airway begins at the mouth or nose, and accesses the trachea
Vertebrate trachea

The traceartes, or windpipe, is a tube that has an inner diameter of about 20-25 mm and a length of about 10-16 cm in humans. It commences at the larynx and bifurcates into the primary bronchus in mammals, and from the pharynx to the syrinx in birds, allowing the passage of air to the lungs....
 via the pharynx
Pharynx

FunctionsThe pharynx is part of the digestive system and respiratory system of many organisms.Because both food and Earth's atmosphere pass through the pharynx, a flap of connective tissue called the epiglottis closes over the trachea when food is swallowed to prevent choking or Pulmonary aspiration....
. The trachea branches into the left and right main bronchi at the carina, situated at the level of the second thoracic vertebra
Vertebra

A vertebra is an individual bone in the flexible column that defines vertebrate animals. The vertebral column encases and protects the spinal cord, which runs from the base of the cranium down the dorsal side of the animal until reaching the pelvis....
. The bronchi branch into large bronchioles, one for each lobe
Lobe

The term lobe generally refers to a projecting part of an object, but it can have more specific meanings.* In biology, lobe * In telecommunication, the term lobe has the following meanings: ...
 of the lung
Lung

The lung is the essential respiration organ in air-breathing animals, including most tetrapods, a few fish and a few snails. In mammals and the more complex life forms, the two lungs are located in the chest on either side of the heart....
. Within the lobes, the bronchi further subdivide some 20 times, ending in clusters of alveoli.

The epithelial
Epithelium

In biology and medicine, epithelium is a Biological tissue composed of cell s that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body....
 surfaces of the airways contain cilia.






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The airways are those parts of the respiratory system
Respiratory system

A respiratory system?s function is to allow gas exchange. The space between the alveoli and the capillaries, the anatomy or structure of the exchange system, and the precise physiological uses of the exchanged gases vary depending on the organism....
 through which air flows, to get from the external environment to the alveoli.

The airway begins at the mouth or nose, and accesses the trachea
Vertebrate trachea

The traceartes, or windpipe, is a tube that has an inner diameter of about 20-25 mm and a length of about 10-16 cm in humans. It commences at the larynx and bifurcates into the primary bronchus in mammals, and from the pharynx to the syrinx in birds, allowing the passage of air to the lungs....
 via the pharynx
Pharynx

FunctionsThe pharynx is part of the digestive system and respiratory system of many organisms.Because both food and Earth's atmosphere pass through the pharynx, a flap of connective tissue called the epiglottis closes over the trachea when food is swallowed to prevent choking or Pulmonary aspiration....
. The trachea branches into the left and right main bronchi at the carina, situated at the level of the second thoracic vertebra
Vertebra

A vertebra is an individual bone in the flexible column that defines vertebrate animals. The vertebral column encases and protects the spinal cord, which runs from the base of the cranium down the dorsal side of the animal until reaching the pelvis....
. The bronchi branch into large bronchioles, one for each lobe
Lobe

The term lobe generally refers to a projecting part of an object, but it can have more specific meanings.* In biology, lobe * In telecommunication, the term lobe has the following meanings: ...
 of the lung
Lung

The lung is the essential respiration organ in air-breathing animals, including most tetrapods, a few fish and a few snails. In mammals and the more complex life forms, the two lungs are located in the chest on either side of the heart....
. Within the lobes, the bronchi further subdivide some 20 times, ending in clusters of alveoli.

The epithelial
Epithelium

In biology and medicine, epithelium is a Biological tissue composed of cell s that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body....
 surfaces of the airways contain cilia. Inhaled particles stick to mucus
Mucus

In vertebrates, mucus is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. It is a viscous colloid containing antiseptic enzymes and immunoglobulins that serves to protect Epithelium in the respiratory,...
 (secreted by goblet cell
Cell (biology)

The cell is the structural and functional unit of all known Life organisms. It is the smallest unit of an organism that is classified as living, and is often called the building bricks of life....
s) which is continuously removed from the airways by these cilia. The airway epithelium also secretes a watery fluid upon which the mucus can ride freely. The production of this fluid is impaired by the disease cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis is a Genetic disorder affecting the exocrine glands of the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestines, causing progressive disability due to multisystem failure....
. Macrophages are present in the airways. These cells protect the airways from infection by engulfing inhaled particles and bacteria.

Certain conditions require tracheal intubation to secure the airway. Airway devices are used to assist intubation
Intubation

In medicine, intubation refers to the placement of a tube into an external or internal orifice of the body. Although the term can refer to endoscopy procedures, it is most often used to denote tracheal intubation....
.

See also

  • Airway (band)
    Airway (band)

    Airway was a musical ensemble based within the Los Angeles Free Music Society.Airway was initially a solo project of Le Forte Four member Joe Potts....
    , an Italian emo rock band signed with Graves Records
  • Guedel's airway
  • Jet ventilation
    Jet ventilation

    Jet ventilation is a special type of mechanical ventilation for surgical operations in the airway. Jet ventilation is characterized by the insufflation of gas portions with high velocity into the airway....
  • Nasopharyngeal airway
    Nasopharyngeal airway

    In medicine, a nasopharyngeal airway, also known as an NPA or a nasal trumpet because of its flared end, a type of airway adjunct, is a tube that is designed to be inserted into the nasal passageway to secure an open airway....


External links

  • , a free resource about airway devices, including a video library