Final answer:
Endotracheal intubation is a medical procedure where a tube is placed through the mouth into the trachea to maintain an open airway, typically used during surgeries or emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a tube is placed through the mouth to the trachea to establish an airway, the procedure is known as endotracheal intubation. This is crucial during surgeries and emergencies to ensure that a patient's airway remains open, especially when they are under general anesthesia and their muscles, including those for respiration, are relaxed. Endotracheal intubation not only allows the individual to breathe but also prevents the tongue from blocking the airway. It involves the placement of a flexible plastic tube into the trachea through the larynx.
Post-surgery, the anesthesiologist will adjust the gases to bring the patient out of unconsciousness and eventually remove the tube, allowing the muscles of respiration to regain control. It's common for patients to experience a sore throat following the procedure. The trachea, an important part of the respiratory system and the site of the intubation, is also known as the windpipe and is connected to the function of the epiglottis, which prevents food from entering the windpipe during swallowing.