Final answer:
The function of an artificial airway is to keep the airway open for the lungs to perform air exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function of an artificial airway is to keep the airway open for the lungs to perform air exchange. During intubation, a long, plastic tube is placed in the respiratory system to bypass any obstruction and allow air to reach the lungs. The tube helps maintain an open airway and ensures that oxygen can be supplied artificially using a squeezable bag connected to the tube.