What connects the throat to the lungs?

The trachea is the structure that connects the throat, or more precisely the larynx, to the lungs. Functioning as a vital airway, the trachea is a tube-like structure that allows air to travel from the upper respiratory tract down into the bronchial tubes and subsequently into the lungs. It is lined with cilia and mucus to help trap particles and pathogens, maintaining clear passages for respiratory function.

The oropharynx and pharynx serve different roles in the respiratory and digestive systems. The oropharynx is part of the throat located behind the oral cavity and primarily functions in swallowing and as a passageway for food and air. The pharynx, which encompasses both the oropharynx and nasopharynx, serves as a conduit for air entering the trachea and food entering the esophagus but does not extend directly to the lungs like the trachea does. The bronchi are the large passages that branch out from the trachea into the lungs, further dividing into smaller bronchioles but do not connect the throat to the lungs directly. Thus, the trachea is the correct answer as it forms the direct connection between the throat and the lungs.