How many tracheal cartilages are there in the human body?

Appeared in: SGPGI Nursing Officer-2024

Explanation

The human trachea is structurally supported by 16 to 20 C-shaped rings of hyaline cartilage.
This specific number is a standard anatomical fact.
These rings are crucial for keeping the airway patent (open) to allow for the passage of air to and from the lungs.
The rings are incomplete posteriorly, with the gap being filled by the trachealis muscle.

Option A: This range is too narrow and incorrectly excludes the possibility of having 20 cartilages, which is part of the accepted anatomical range.
Option B: This range is too low. The accepted number of tracheal cartilages typically starts from 16, not 15.
Option D: This range is less precise. While it encompasses the correct range, the lower limit is generally accepted to be 16, not 15. The range 16-20 is the most accurate and widely cited.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomy of the Trachea as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Knowledge of tracheal anatomy, including the number and position of the rings, is critical for nurses and doctors during procedures like endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy to ensure correct placement and avoid injury.
The C-shape of the rings is clinically significant; the soft posterior wall allows the esophagus to expand during swallowing and can be affected by esophageal tumors or foreign bodies.
What if? If a patient required an emergency cricothyroidotomy, the procedure is performed through the cricothyroid membrane, which is located below the thyroid cartilage and above the cricoid cartilage (the first tracheal ring), highlighting the importance of identifying these cartilaginous landmarks.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on anatomical knowledge.
Identify the key term in the question: 'tracheal cartilages'.
Recall the specific number of these cartilages from your study of the respiratory system.
The standard accepted range is 16 to 20.
Scan the options to find the one that matches this specific range.
Eliminate options that are too narrow, too broad, or have an incorrect starting or ending number.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Q5hciCjRFNrPKpAUaU1Ke4

E6 Histology Inderbir 11e p. 11-13

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 98-100

Practise the full SGPGI Nursing Officer-2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.