Airway

Airway

The airways are those parts of the respiratory system 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 via the pharynx. The trachea branches into the left and right main bronchi at the carina, situated at the level of the second thoracic vertebra. The bronchi branch into large bronchioles, one for each lobe of the lung. Within the lobes, the bronchi further subdivide some 20 times, ending in clusters of alveoli.

The epithelial surfaces of the airways contain cilia. Inhaled particles stick to mucus (secreted by goblet cells) 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. 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.

ee also

*Airway (band), an Italian emo rock band signed with Graves Records
*Guedel's airway
*Jet ventilation
*Nasopharyngeal airway

External links

* [http://vam.anest.ufl.edu/airwaydevice/ The Virtual Airway Device] , a free resource about airway devices, including a video library


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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • airway — UK [ˈeə(r)weɪ] / US [ˈerˌweɪ] noun [countable] Word forms airway : singular airway plural airways 1) a tube in your body that carries air into your lungs from your nose or mouth 2) a path through the sky that planes regularly use …   English dictionary

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  • airway — /ˈɛəweɪ/ (say airway) noun 1. an air route fully equipped with emergency landing fields, beacon lights, radio beams, etc. 2. any passage in a mine used for purposes of ventilation; an air course. 3. Medicine a tube used to achieve unobstructed… …  

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