5-311.3:

An artificial opening has been made in your trachea.

The trachea or windpipe begins below the larynx. It consists of many cartilage rings that strengthen the trachea. The trachea splits into 2 large airways in the middle of the chest. The airways then go into the lungs and branch out further.

An incision has been made in your larynx. The larynx can be seen particularly well in men as a bulging area at the front of the neck. This area is also called the Adam’s apple. The larynx is important for breathing and speaking. It consists mainly of cartilage, ligaments, and muscles. The vocal cords are also located in the larynx. The larynx is usually opened up in an emergency, when air is not otherwise getting through.

Once the larynx has been opened by cutting the neck, a tube is usually pushed into the trachea. This tube enables one to breathe. Fluid can also be sucked out of the airways via this opening. This type of artificial opening is usually closed later on.