trachea

 
Pronunciation: /trəˈkiːə, ˈtreɪkɪə/

noun (plural tracheae /-ˈkiːiː/ or tracheas)

Anatomy
  • a large membranous tube reinforced by rings of cartilage, extending from the larynx to the bronchial tubes and conveying air to and from the lungs; the windpipe.
  • Entomology each of a number of fine chitinous tubes in the body of an insect, conveying air direct to the tissues.
  • Botany a duct or vessel in a plant.

Derivatives

tracheal

Pronunciation: /ˈtreɪkɪəl/
adjective

tracheate

Pronunciation: /ˈtreɪkɪeɪt/
adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from medieval Latin, from late Latin trachia, from Greek trakheia (artēria) 'rough (artery)', from trakhus 'rough'