Biology/C-shaped cartilage in the trachea
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Question
Dear expert,
could you please help me the following question:
What is the benefit of having C-shaped cartilage in the trachea as opposed to O-shaped?
My guess is that C-shaped cartilage allows more flexibility of the tracheal tube, which may be helpful when one's choking on an object?! Whereas, O-shaped cartilage would assign fixed form to the trachea, which would make it difficult to draw an object out of the trachea?
Am I guessing right?
Your help would be helpful
Thank you in advance!
Uran
Hi Uran: Thanks for your question. An interesting question, and a good guess on your part.
Also remember that the open part of the tracheal cartilage abuts against the esophagus. This will allow more flexibility when food is being swallowed, since it will allow the esophagus to bulge into the trachea temporarily.
Hope this helps!
FM Rollwagen, PhD
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Answers by Expert:
Florence M Rollwagen
Expertise
I can answer questions in biology, microbiology and immunology on the undergraduate or graduate level. I can also address medical and health concerns regarding alternative medicine, autoimmune diseases (lupus, MS) liver disease and intestinal problems.
Experience
I have over 20 years experience in research and teaching at the medical/graduate level, and 5 years teaching college biology and microbiology. My expertise is in microbiology and immunology, specifically the biology of cytokines and soluble immune response modifiers. I also carried out original research in blood substitutes and shock/trauma.
Organizations
American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publications
Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal of Immunology, Cytokine, Shock, Experimental Hematology
Education/Credentials
BS biology 1966
MS biology 1968
PhD immunology 1979
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