Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

tracheae

Noun

/ˈtrā-kē-ˌē/

Definition

Tracheae are the small tubes that carry air to the lungs in many organisms, particularly in insects and some other arthropods.

Examples

The tracheae of insects are part of a complex system that delivers oxygen directly to tissues.
In some species, the tracheae are highly branched, allowing for efficient gas exchange.
Damage to the tracheae can severely affect an insect’s ability to breathe.

Meaning

In a biological context, tracheae refer to the respiratory tubes that allow for the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the environment and the organism’s body.