what does the trachea do

The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a long, U-shaped tube that connects the larynx (voice box) to the lungs. Its main function is to carry air in and out of the lungs, providing a reliable pathway for oxygen to enter the body. When you inhale, air moves from your nose and mouth into your trachea, then into your left and right bronchi, through your bronchi and into bronchioles in your lungs, and finally into small sacs in your lungs called alveoli, where your body exchanges oxygen for carbon dioxide. When you exhale, your body performs these motions in reverse to carry carbon dioxide out of your body. The trachea is made of thick rings of cartilage, and a substance called mucosa lines this cartilage. Mucosa produces mucus, which traps dust, allergens, or other particles to keep them from entering the lungs. The trachea also helps regulate the temperature of the air coming in and out of the lungs, warming and providing humidity to the air before it reaches the lungs on cold days. Additionally, the trachea helps defend against disease by capturing microorganisms such as viruses and harmful bacteria before they enter the lungs.