Trachea

The trachea is lined by ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium.  For a closeup of this respiratory epithelium, click here.

This epithelium rests upon ordinary connective tissue which may include prominent blood vessels, part of a venous plexus that provide heat-exchange to help condition the air.

Incomplete rings of hyaline cartilage encircle the trachea.  

Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu

SIUC / School of Medicine / Anatomy / David King

http://www.siumed.edu/~dking2/crr/CR005b.htm
Last updated:  22 March 2004 / dgk