Trachea (definition of)

More commonly known as the windpipe, the trachea is the tube between the larynx and the lungs. The trachea is about 6 inches and an inch in diameter. The trachea branches into two parts in the upper thorax (chest), each of which enters a lung.

The trachea is made up of rings of cartilage which contract and expand during respiration. Between these rings is an outer layer of thick fibrous tissue; there is a thinner layer on the internal surfaces as well. In addition, muscle fiber also runs along the trachea.

Research indicates that asbestos fibers trapped in the mucus membrane lining the trachea cause that membrane to become inflamed, producing excess more mucus. In more serious cases, this exacerbates the cancer, like mesothelioma, and may cause tumors to form in the connective tissue of the throat.

Trachea surgery is usually performed in order to remove tumors or scar tissue from previous trauma. Scarring of the trachea can cause the passage to narrow, causing breathing difficulties. It is also difficult to administer anesthesia when the trachea is the surgical site.