The coccygeal muscle is located in the pelvic cavity. This muscle originates at the sacrospinous ligament, near the center of the pelvis, and inserts…. The vagus nerve is the longest of the 12 cranial nerves. Here, learn about its anatomy, functions, and the kinds of health problems that can occur. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Read this next. Leg Anatomy. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Spermatic cord Medically reviewed by the Healthline Medical Network.
Corpus spongiosum penis Medically reviewed by the Healthline Medical Network. Coccygeal muscle Medically reviewed by the Healthline Medical Network. What is the Vagus Nerve? Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M. The epiglottis closes the opening to the larynx during swallowing to prevent swallowed matter from entering the trachea. This mucus and cilia of the trachea form the mucociliary escalator, which lines the cells of the trachea with mucus to trap inhaled foreign particles.
The cilia then waft upward toward the larynx and the pharynx, where it can be either swallowed into the stomach and destroyed by acid or expelled as phlegm. The mucociliary escalator is one of the most important functions of the trachea and is also considered a barrier component of the immune system due its role in preventing pathogens from entering the lungs.
The epithelium and the mucociliary ladder can be damaged by smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption, which can make pneumonia an infection of the alveoli of the lungs from bacteria in the upper respiratory tract more likely to occur due to the loss of barrier function. As a part of the conducting zone of the lungs, the trachea is important in warming and moistening air before it reaches the lungs.
Learning Objectives Describe the anatomic structure of the trachea. Key Points The trachea is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium cells with goblet cells that produce mucus. There are about 15 to 20 C-shaped cartilaginous rings that reinforce the anterior and lateral sides of the trachea to protect and maintain the airway, leaving a membranous wall pars membranacea dorsally without cartilage where the C-shape is open.
The cartilaginous rings are C-shaped to allow the trachea to collapse slightly at the opening so that food can pass down the esophagus. The trachealis muscle connects the ends of the open part of the C-shaped rings and contracts during coughing, reducing the size of the lumen of the trachea to increase the air flow rate. The esophagus lies posteriorly to the trachea. The mucocilliary escalator helps prevent pathogens from entering the lungs.
Sep 2, Explanation: The trachea maintains its rigidity by virtue of a series of cartilaginous rings arranged along its length called as the C- shaped cartilage rings. Related questions What is the significance of the fact that human tracheal cartilage rings are incomplete How is oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other waste gases exchanged in the lungs and body tissues?
What is the function of the lungs in connection with the circulatory system? How do the lungs function as excretory organs? What do pulmonary function tests measure? What is pulmonary hypoplasia? Is this condition hereditary?
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