Trachealis muscle and membranous wall
Musculus trachealis
RespiratoryOrgansWhole body
- What it is
- A band of smooth muscle and fibro-elastic membrane that closes the gap between the ends of the C-rings on the back of the trachea, directly in front of the oesophagus.
- Function
- Contracts to narrow the trachea and speed up airflow when coughing; its pliability lets a swallowed food bolus bulge forwards.
- Size
- About 1.5 cm wide and 1–2 mm thick along the whole tracheal length.
- Clinical note
- Because the back wall is membranous, an oesophageal foreign body can compress the airway, and tracheo-oesophageal fistulas form here.