Where is trachea located

Keep reading for more information about what the trachea is, what it does, and which health conditions can affect it. The trachea is a hollow, tube-like structure that runs from the larynx, or voice box, to the bronchi — the two passageways that connect the trachea to the lungs. The average length of the trachea is about A mucous membrane, similar to those in the nasal cavity, lines the interior of the trachea.

Cells in this membrane, called goblet cells, release mucus to help prevent microorganisms and debris from entering the lungs. The trachea is also lined with tiny hair-like structures called cilia.

These help push mucus that contains debris or pathogens out of the trachea. A person then either swallows or spits out the mucus. The trachea runs parallel to the esophagus and lies just in front of it. The back of the trachea is softer to allow the esophagus to expand when a person is eating.

Due to their proximity, a small piece of cartilage in the larynx automatically covers the opening of the trachea to prevent food or drink from getting into it when the person is eating. If food or drink do get into the trachea, this typically causes the person to cough.

If a piece of food is particularly large, it could become trapped in the trachea and obstruct breathing. The primary function of the trachea is to transport air to and from the lungs. Without a trachea, a person would not be able to breathe. In addition to transporting air, the trachea helps defend against disease. The mucus in the trachea helps capture microorganisms such as viruses and harmful bacteria before they enter the lungs. On cold days, the trachea helps warm and provide humidity to the air before it reaches the lungs.

Various health conditions can affect the trachea. In serious cases, a person may have trouble breathing and require immediate medical attention. If coughing or shortness of breath is a persistent concern without a clear cause, speak with a doctor. It also helps prevent microorganisms, debris, and air that is too cold or too hot from entering the lungs. If a person is having trouble breathing, a health problem may be affecting their trachea, and they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

People can experience difficulty breathing for a wide range of reasons. Tracheomalacia can also affect newborns as a result of congenital weakness of tracheal cartilage. Symptoms include stridor, rattling breath sounds, and cyanosis. Acquired tracheomalacia may require surgery to correct and support the weakened airway. Congenital tracheomalacia rarely requires surgery and usually resolves on its own by the time the child is 2.

Tracheal cancer is extremely rare, occurring at a rate of approximately one case per every , people. Most are squamous cell carcinomas caused by cigarette smoking. Benign tumors, including chondromas and papillomas, can also develop in the trachea. Though benign, these can still block airways, affect breathing, and trigger stenosis. The surgical removal of a tracheal tumor is the preferred method of treatment with or without radiation therapy.

Some people may be able to be treated with radiation alone. Chemotherapy with radiation often is used if a tumor cannot be removed. Injuries, infections, and diseases of the trachea can cause damage to the airway, sometimes irreparably.

Tracheal stenosis is one such case in which the development of fibrosis scarring is most often permanent. Once the underlying cause of a tracheal injury is treated, efforts may be made to repair the trachea or support its function. Since most children with tracheomalacia outgrow the condition by the age of 3, treatment efforts will usually be supportive.

This not only includes regular lab and imaging tests but also chest physical therapy CPT to maintain proper airway clearance. A humidifier and continuous positive airway pressure CPAP device may also be recommended. CPT also may be recommended for adults with tracheomalacia or anyone who experiences chronic airway obstruction or restriction.

Regular exercise, 20 to 30 minutes five times weekly, can also help. In certain cases of tracheal stenosis, a flexible, tube-like instrument called a bougienage may be inserted into the trachea during a bronchoscopy and expanded with a balloon to dilate the airway. A rigid silicone or metal sleeve, called a stent, is then inserted to hold the trachea open.

Tracheal dilation and stent placement are typically used when surgery isn't possible. Most procedures can be done on an outpatient basis and only require a short-acting anesthetic like propofol. Stent placement can be used on its own in adults with tracheomalacia if conservative therapies fail to provide relief. With that said, it tends to be less effective due to the "floppiness" of the trachea.

Airway infection and stent migration are common. Stenosis can often be treated by destroying retracted scar tissue that causes the narrowing of the airway. The procedure, called ablation , can release the retracted tissue and improve breathing. Ablative techniques include laser therapy using a narrow beam of light , electrocautery using electricity , cryotherapy using cold , brachytherapy using radiation , and argon plasma using argon gas.

Ablation therapies usually can be performed on an outpatient basis with a mild, short-acting sedative and tend to be successful, although pain, cough, and infection are possible.

Tracheoesophageal fistulas almost always require surgical repair to close the hole between the trachea and the esophagus. Although tracheal stenting is sometimes used to plug the gap, the stent can slip and require repositioning or replacement. Surgery is a more permanent solution. Depending on the location of the fistula, a thoracotomy an incision between the ribs or cervicotomy an incision in the neck may be used to enter the trachea.

Pneumonia, airway obstruction, wound infection, and reopening of the fistula are the most common concerns. Tracheal resection and reconstruction TRR is an open surgical procedure commonly used to remove tracheal tumors and treat severe post-intubation stenosis or fistulas. The resection of the trachea involves the removal of a section of the airway, the cut ends of which are then stitched together with sutures.

Reconstruction involves the placement of a small piece of cartilage taken from another part of the body to rebuild the trachea and keep it well supported. TRR is considered major surgery and typically requires two to three weeks of recovery. Complications include post-operative stenosis or fistula as well as vocal cord dysfunction.

Techniques such as the Maddern procedure and REACHER technique involve the removal of diseased tissue combined with a full-thickness skin graft from the thigh and are sometimes used to treat stenosis in the upper part of the trachea near the larynx. As opposed to open resection, the Maddern procedure can be performed transorally through the mouth. The only downside to these techniques is that not all surgeons know how to perform them.

To this end, you may need to seek treatment outside of your immediate area with a specialist ENT-otolaryngologist. A tracheostomy, also known as a tracheotomy, is a surgical procedure in which a breathing tube is inserted into the trachea through an incision in the throat.

It is used when intubation through the nose or mouth is not possible or when long-term ventilator support is needed. A tracheostomy may be indicated when a lung or esophageal tumor causes compression of the trachea and interferes with breathing. A traumatic chest wall injury or epiglottitis may require an emergency tracheostomy. Permanent tracheostomy may be needed in people with a major spinal cord injury who cannot breathe adequately on their own or those with end-stage lung disease.

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