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Trachealis muscle
Smooth muscle of the trachea From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The trachealis muscle is a sheet of smooth muscle in the trachea.
Structure
The trachealis muscle lies posterior to the trachea and anterior to the oesophagus.[1] It bridges the gap between the free ends of C-shaped rings of cartilage at the posterior border of the trachea, adjacent to the oesophagus.[1][2][3] This completes the ring of cartilages of the trachea.[3] The trachealis muscle also supports a thin cartilage on the inside of the trachea.[4] It is the only smooth muscle present in the trachea.[5]
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Function
The primary function of the trachealis muscle is to constrict the trachea, allowing air to be expelled with more force, such as during coughing.[2]
Clinical significance
Tracheomalacia may involve hypotonia of the trachealis muscle.[6]
The trachealis muscle may become stiffer during ageing, which makes the whole trachea less elastic.[7]
In infants, the insertion of an oesophagogastroduodenoscope into the oesophagus may compress the trachealis muscle, and narrow the trachea.[8] This can result in reduced airflow to the lungs.[8] Infants may be intubated to make sure that the trachea is fixed open.[8]
See also
References
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