Carina of trachea
Cartilages of larynx, trachea and bronchi. (Carina is at the point of bifurcation.)
Transverse section of the trachea, just above its bifurcation, with a bird’s-eye view of the interior. (Carina not labeled; the ridge that separates the left and right bronchus.)
Details
SystemRespiratory system
Identifiers
Latincarina tracheae
TA98A06.3.01.009
TA23225
FMA7465
Anatomical terminology

The carina of trachea (also: "tracheal carina"[1]) is a ridge[1] of cartilage[2] at the base of the trachea separating the openings of the left and right main bronchi.[1][2]

Structure

The carina is a cartilaginous ridge separating the left and right main bronchi that is formed by the inferior-ward and posterior-ward prolongation of the inferior-most tracheal cartilage.[2]

The carina occurs at the lower end of the trachea - usually at the level of the 4th to 5th thoracic vertebra.[3][4] This is in line with the sternal angle, but the carina may raise or descend up to two vertebrae higher or lower with breathing. The carina lies to the left of the midline, and runs antero-posteriorly (front to back).

Blood supply

The bronchial arteries supply the carina and the rest of the lower trachea.[5]

Relations

The carina is around the area posterior to where the aortic arch crosses to the left of the trachea.[4] The azygos vein crosses right to the trachea above the carina.[6]

Physiology

The mucous membrane of the carina is the most sensitive area of the trachea and larynx for triggering a cough reflex.

Clinical significance

Tracheobronchial injury, an injury to the airways, occurs within 2.5 cm of the carina 60% of the time.[7]

Diagnostic radiology

Widening and distortion of the carina is a serious radiological sign that usually indicates carcinoma of the lymph nodes around the region where the trachea divides.

Additional images

References

  1. 1 2 3 "tracheal carina - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms". www.cancer.gov. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  2. 1 2 3 "carina tracheae". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
  3. ↑ Fernandez, Luis G.; Norwood, Scott H.; Berne, John D. (2008-01-01), Asensio, JUAN A.; Trunkey, DONALD D. (eds.), "Tracheal, Laryngeal, and Oropharyngeal Injuries", Current Therapy of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Philadelphia: Mosby, pp. 215–226, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-04418-9.50036-9, ISBN 978-0-323-04418-9, retrieved 2020-11-17
  4. 1 2 Schipper, Paul; Sukumar, Mithran; Mayberry, John C. (2008-01-01), Asensio, JUAN A.; Trunkey, DONALD D. (eds.), "Pertinent Surgical Anatomy of the Thorax and Mediastinum", Current Therapy of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Philadelphia: Mosby, pp. 227–251, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-04418-9.50037-0, ISBN 978-0-323-04418-9, retrieved 2020-11-17
  5. ↑ Acocella, F.; Brizzola, S. (2011-01-01), Bosworth, Lucy A.; Downes, Sandra (eds.), "12 - Tracheal tissue regeneration", Electrospinning for Tissue Regeneration, Woodhead Publishing Series in Biomaterials, Woodhead Publishing, pp. 242–279, doi:10.1533/9780857092915.2.242, ISBN 978-1-84569-741-9, retrieved 2020-11-17
  6. ↑ Hardie, E. (2014-01-01), Langley-Hobbs, Sorrel J.; Demetriou, Jackie L.; Ladlow, Jane F. (eds.), "Chapter 46 - Trachea and bronchus", Feline Soft Tissue and General Surgery, W.B. Saunders, pp. 531–540, doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-4336-9.00046-9, ISBN 978-0-7020-4336-9, retrieved 2020-11-17
  7. ↑ Chu CP, Chen PP (April 2002). "Tracheobronchial injury secondary to blunt chest trauma: Diagnosis and management". Anaesth Intensive Care. 30 (2): 145–52. doi:10.1177/0310057X0203000204. PMID 12002920.
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