endotracheal tube (ETT, tracheal tube)

Procedure

• a tube placed through the mouth into the trachea to ensure airway patency for mechanical ventilation (see endotracheal intubation)
• the tube generally has a cuff which can be inflated to help hold in place
• the tracheal tube is the only device that enters the trachea
• requires visualization of the vocal cords
• there is no equivalent or substitute

More general terms

• device (medical device)

Additional terms

• endotracheal extubation
• endotracheal intubation
• mechanical ventilation (assisted ventilation)