Trachealis muscle
Encyclopedia
Trachealis muscle is an example of smooth muscle
. It bridges the gap between free ends of C-shaped cartilage
s at the posterior border of the trachea
, adjacent to the esophagus
.
A primary function of the trachealis is to constrict the windpipe, allowing for higher velocity of air in the windpipe during coughing.
Smooth muscle
Smooth muscle is an involuntary non-striated muscle. It is divided into two sub-groups; the single-unit and multiunit smooth muscle. Within single-unit smooth muscle tissues, the autonomic nervous system innervates a single cell within a sheet or bundle and the action potential is propagated by...
. It bridges the gap between free ends of C-shaped cartilage
Cartilage
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in many areas in the bodies of humans and other animals, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs...
s at the posterior border of the trachea
Vertebrate trachea
In tetrapod anatomy the trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that connects the pharynx or larynx to the lungs, allowing the passage of air. It is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium cells with goblet cells that produce mucus...
, adjacent to the esophagus
Esophagus
The esophagus is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. During swallowing, food passes from the mouth through the pharynx into the esophagus and travels via peristalsis to the stomach...
.
A primary function of the trachealis is to constrict the windpipe, allowing for higher velocity of air in the windpipe during coughing.