Tracheotomy

[[Image:Tracheotomy_neck_profile.png|thumb|166px|Completed tracheotomy:

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1 - Vocal cords

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2 - Thyroid cartilage

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3 - Cricoid cartilage

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4 - Tracheal cartileges

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5 - Balloon cuff]]

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A tracheotomy or tracheostomy is a surgical procedure performed on the neck to open a direct airway through an incision in the trachea (the windpipe). (Technically, the former term, with the Greek root tom- meaning "to cut," refers to the procedure of cutting into the trachea, whereas the latter term, with the root stom- meaning "mouth," refers to the procedure of making a semipermanent or permanent opening. Tracheostomy can also refer to the result of the procedure, i.e. the opening itself.)

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Surgical: REDIRECT Surgery...

Trachea: The trachea (IPA /'treikiə/), or windpipe, is a tube extending from the larynx to the bronchi in mammals, and from the pharynx to the syrinx in birds, carrying air to the lungs. It is lined with ciliated cells which push particles out and cartilage rings which reinforce the trachea and prevent ...