Which part of the respiratory system carries oxygen to the lungs?

The trachea, also known as the windpipe, plays a crucial role in the respiratory system by serving as the primary conduit through which air travels from the throat into the lungs. When a person inhales, the trachea transports oxygen-rich air from the upper respiratory tract into the bronchial tubes and subsequently into the lungs.

The trachea is lined with cilia and mucus that help to filter and humidify the air, ensuring that it is clean and appropriately conditioned before reaching the lungs. This function is essential for effective gas exchange within the alveoli, where oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide is expelled.

While the other structures mentioned—such as the bronchioles, larynx, and pharynx—play significant roles in the respiratory process, the trachea specifically is the critical pathway for delivering oxygen to the lungs. Bronchioles are smaller passages that branch from the bronchi into the lungs, the larynx is involved in sound production and protecting the airway during swallowing, and the pharynx serves as a passageway for both air and food but does not directly transport air to the lungs.