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The carina is a cartilaginous ridge separating the left and right main bronchi that is formed by the inferior-ward and posterior-ward prolongation of the inferior-most tracheal cartilage. [2] The carina occurs at the lower end of the trachea - usually at the level of the 4th to 5th thoracic vertebra.
The sternal angle is used in the definition of the thoracic plane. [citation needed] The angle also marks the level of a number of features: Boundary between the superior and inferior portion of the mediastinum [citation needed] Passage of the thoracic duct from right to left behind esophagus [citation needed] Tracheal bifurcation.
The trachea begins at the lower edge of the cricoid cartilage of the larynx [3] at the level of sixth cervical vertebra (C6) [2] and ends at the carina, the point where the trachea branches into left and right main bronchi., [2] at the level of the fourth thoracic vertebra (T4), [2] although its position may change with breathing. [3]
Diagram of cartilage cells called chondroblasts. Date: 30 July 2014 (released by CRUK) Source: Original email from CRUK: Author: Cancer Research UK: Permission (Reusing this file) This image has been released as part of an open knowledge project by Cancer Research UK. If re-used, attribute to Cancer Research UK / Wikimedia Commons
The carina of the trachea is located at the level of the sternal angle and the fifth thoracic vertebra (at rest). The right main bronchus is wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left main bronchus, [ 3 ] its mean length is 1.09 cm. [ 4 ] It enters the root of the right lung at approximately the fifth thoracic vertebra.
The cricoid cartilage is the only laryngeal cartilage to form a complete circle around the airway. It is smaller yet thicker and tougher than the thyroid cartilage above. [1] It articulates superiorly [citation needed] with the thyroid cartilage, and the paired arytenoid cartilage. Inferiorly, the trachea attaches onto it. [1]
Hyaline cartilage has fewer cells than elastic cartilage; there is more intercellular space. Hyaline cartilage is found in the nose, ears, trachea, parts of the larynx, and smaller respiratory tubes. Fibrous cartilage has the fewest cells so it has the most intercellular space. Fibrous cartilage is found in the spine and the menisci.
The upper respiratory tract can refer to the parts of the respiratory system lying above the vocal folds, or above the cricoid cartilage. [4] [5] The larynx is sometimes included in both the upper and lower airways. [6] The larynx is also called the voice box and has the associated cartilage that produces sound.