How Does the Trachea's Structure Support Its Function?
The trachea's structural design is well-suited to its roles in air conduction, filtration, and defense. The pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, with its mucus production and ciliary action, ensures that inhaled air is adequately filtered. The hyaline cartilage rings maintain the airway patency, preventing collapse during breathing. Additionally, the presence of immune cells in the lamina propria and submucosa provides a first line of defense against pathogens.
