Airway 166827 226001360 2008-07-16T11:43:35Z 87.15.55.115 /* See also */ {{Otheruses1|the part of the respiratory system}} 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 [[vertebrate trachea|trachea]] via the [[pharynx]]. The trachea branches into the left and right main [[bronchi]] at the [[carina (anatomy)|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 [[epithelium|epithelial]] surfaces of the airways contain [[cilia]]. Inhaled particles stick to [[mucus]] (secreted by goblet [[cell (biology)|cell]]s) 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 [[bacterium|bacteria]]. Certain conditions require tracheal intubation to secure the airway. [[Airway device]]s are used to assist [[intubation]]. ==See also== *[[Airway (band)]], an italian emo rock band signed with Graves Records *[[Guedel's airway]] *[[Nasopharyngeal airway]] ==External links== * [http://vam.anest.ufl.edu/airwaydevice/ The Virtual Airway Device], a free resource about airway devices, including a video library [[Category:Respiratory system]] [[cs:Dýchací cesty]] [[de:Atemwege]] [[pl:Drogi oddechowe]] [[fi:Hengitystiet]] {{respiratory-stub}}