Question

What do the trachea and bronchi possess in their wall of the respiratory tract in a man?
A. C-shaped cartilaginous rings
B. C-shaped bony rings
C. V-shaped bony rings
D. V-shaped cartilaginous rings

Answer 1

Hint: In human beings, the trachea acts as a passageway for the inhaled and exhaled air. And the bronchi functions as the site for gas exchange. These airways will tend to collapse due to any change in pressure.

Complete answer:
The trachea and bronchi which are the parts of the respiratory system in man consist of C-shaped rings made of cartilage. These rings support the passage and help in preventing it from collapsing due to any changes in pressure. It has a role to play in the process of digestion as well. It helps in the expansion of the esophagus while swallowing. These rings are composed of cartilaginous tissues since they are more flexible than the bones and help in their easy movements. These rings are shaped in a C manner, to facilitate movement in a single direction, and to provide support at all other sides. Thus it is also known as incomplete cartilaginous rings. When these supporting rings are absent, it can lead to the collapsing of these systems. It is present throughout the respiratory tract, from the trachea to primary, secondary, and tertiary bronchi.
-C shaped bony rings are not present in the respiratory tract. When it is composed of bones, it doesn’t allow much flexibility, because bone tissues are hard and rigid.
-The rings present has the shape of C and not V. Also they are not composed of bones, and are cartilaginous.
-The rings of cartilage are C-shaped and are not V-shaped.
Therefore from the above-given options, the most appropriate answer is A. That is, in men, the trachea and the bronchioles are composed of C- shaped cartilaginous rings.

Note: Any disease-causing inflammation of the trachea can lead to its constriction. It can be due to any infection or any injury. This results in preventing the air from entering the lungs. In these conditions, a surgical procedure known as tracheostomy may be prescribed.