Trachea

The trachea runs from the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage and bifurcates at the carina into the left and right bronchi. The cough reflex is triggered at the carina.

The scaffold that holds the trachea upright are C-shaped rings of cartilage that are additionally supported by the trachealis muscle.

Blood Supply

The inferior thyroid artery supplies the trachea.

The brachiocephalic vein drains the trachea.

The recurrent laryngeal nerve provides sensory innervation to the trachea.