trachea

[ trey-kee-uhor, especially British, truh-kee-uh ]

noun

, plural tra·che·ae [trey, -kee-ee, tr, uh, -, kee, -ee], tra·che·as.

1. Anatomy, Zoology. the tube in humans and other air-breathing vertebrates extending from the larynx to the bronchi, serving as the principal passage for conveying air to and from the lungs; the windpipe.
2. (in insects and other arthropods) one of the air-conveying tubes of the respiratory system.
3. Botany. vessel ( def 5 ).

trachea

/ trəˈkiːə /

noun

1. anatomy zoology the membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi Nontechnical namewindpipe
2. any of the tubes in insects and related animals that convey air from the spiracles to the tissues
3. See vessel, tracheid
   botany another name for vessel tracheid

trachea

/ trā′kē-ə /

, Plural tracheae trā′kē-ē′

1. The tube in vertebrate animals that leads from the larynx to the bronchial tubes and carries air to the lungs. In mammals the trachea is strengthened by rings of cartilage.
2. Also called windpipe
3. Any of the tiny tubes originating from the spiracles of many terrestrial arthropods and forming a branching network that brings air directly to body cells.

trachea

1. The tube connecting the mouth to the bronchial tubes that carries air to the lungs ; the windpipe.

Derived Forms

• traˈcheal, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trachea¹

1350–1400; Middle English trache < Medieval Latin trāchēa, for Late Latin trāchīa < Greek trācheîa, short for artēría trācheîa rough artery, i.e., windpipe

Word History and Origins

Origin of trachea¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, from Greek trakheia , shortened from ( artēria ) trakheia rough (artery), from trakhus rough

Example Sentences

Ginger was barely able to speak around the tube in her trachea, but after a few days in which no one brought the baby to her, she couldn’t wait any longer.

From ProPublica

A plastic tube lodged in his trachea was the only thing keeping him alive.

From The Daily Beast

No one has heard the Bolivarian leader speak a word (due to a surgical tube in his trachea, officials parry).

From The Daily Beast

A view of the lower part of the trachea, dividing into the main bronchial tubes, which again branch into a tree-like form.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, the air-tubes or tracheæ of insects are, like the trachea and bronchi of many Vertebrates, air-breathing organs.

From Project Gutenberg

At the anterior end of the trachea we find already formed in the amphibia the larynx, the important organ of voice and speech.

From Project Gutenberg

An ordinary canula is placed in the trachea and the wounds are dressed.

From Project Gutenberg

If the wound be in the middle line it is impossible to miss the trachea.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• esophagus
• larynx