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 — ► NOUN 1) the passage by which air reaches the lungs. 2) a tube for supplying air to the lungs in an emergency. 3) a recognized route followed by aircraft …   English terms dictionary

  • airway — [er′wā΄] n. 1. AIR SHAFT (sense 1) 2. a specific route for air traffic, provided with navigational aids; air lane 3. [pl.] airwaves 4. Med. a) a respiratory passageway b) a device used to bring air to the lungs duri …   English World dictionary

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  • airway — n. 1) any of the passages of the respiratory system. 2) any device that enables the flow of air into and out of the lungs. See: nasopharyngeal airway, oropharyngeal airway …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • 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

  • Airway — The path air follows to get into and out of the lungs. The mouth and nose are the normal entry and exit ports. Entering air then passes through the back of the throat (pharynx), continues through the voice box (larynx), down the trachea, and… …   Medical dictionary

  • airway — A control area, or a portion thereof, established in the form of a corridor (ICAO). An airway is equipped with radio navigation aids. It is a path through navigable airspace designated by the appropriate authority within which air traffic… …   Aviation dictionary

  • 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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