Final answer:
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is the tube that conducts air into the thoracic cavity toward the lungs and then divides into bronchi, leading to bronchioles and alveoli for gas exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tube that conducts air into the thoracic cavity toward the lungs is the trachea. After air passes through the larynx, it moves into the trachea, which is a long tube leading down to the chest. The trachea then divides into the right and left bronchi as it enters the lungs. The bronchi contain cartilage to prevent collapse and are lined with mucus and cilia to trap and expel particles. Air continues from the bronchi into smaller passages called bronchioles, and finally into the alveoli where gas exchange occurs.