Final answer:
Endotracheal intubation is used to maintain a patent airway during general anesthesia. It involves placing a tube into the trachea to keep the airway open and remove the risk of obstruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
During general anesthesia, the muscles necessary for breathing and moving the tongue can be affected, which can block the airway. To maintain a patent airway, a procedure called endotracheal intubation is used. This involves placing a tube into the trachea to keep the airway open and seal it off from the oropharynx. After surgery, when the patient's breathing muscles start to function again, the tube is removed, and the patient gradually wakes up.