US Medical Term · anatomy
Trachea
Tráquea
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Trachea |
| Spanish (Español) | Tráquea |
| Chinese (中文) | 氣管 |
| Korean (한국어) | 기관 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Khí quản |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Trakea |
| Portuguese (Português) | Traqueia |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | หลอดลมใหญ่ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 気管 |
What it means
The trachea, commonly called the windpipe, is a tube about four to five inches long that runs from the back of your throat down into your chest. It is made of rings of cartilage — a firm but flexible tissue — that keep the tube open so air can pass through. When you breathe in, air travels down the trachea and then splits into two branches called the bronchi, one going to each lung. The trachea sits just in front of the esophagus, which is the food tube. Doctors may mention the trachea when discussing breathing problems, a breathing tube placed during surgery, or a procedure called a tracheostomy.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My doctor said there is some narrowing in my trachea — does that mean I need a procedure?
Mi médico dijo que hay un estrechamiento en mi tráquea. ¿Eso significa que necesito un procedimiento?
I felt like something was pressing on my windpipe and I had trouble breathing.
Sentí que algo presionaba mi tráquea y me costaba respirar.
After they took out the breathing tube, my throat and trachea were sore for a couple of days.
Después de que me quitaron el tubo de respiración, me dolió la garganta y la tráquea por un par de días.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026