Trachea

The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a tube-like structure in the respiratory system that connects the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi of the lungs. It is located in front of the esophagus and is made up of a series of rings of cartilage that give it structure and help to keep it open. The trachea is lined with cilia and mucus-producing cells, which help to trap and remove foreign particles and irritants from the air we breathe. When we inhale, air travels down the trachea and into the bronchi, where it is distributed to the lungs for gas exchange.