Trachea front and sides of the trachea to protect and maintain the airway. In front of the rings lies connective tissue and skin. Several other structures pass or sit over it; the jugular arch, which joins the two anterior jugular veins, sits in front of the upper part of the trachea. The sternohyoid and sternothyroid muscles stretch along its length, and the thyroid gland sits below this; with the isthmus of the gland overlying the second to fourth rings. The first tracheal ring is broader than the rest, and often divided at one end; it is connected by the cricotracheal ligament
The Human Body (TV series) programmes on the human body. The series was produced by Richard Dale and presented by Professor Robert Winston, a fertility expert. The series used a variety of different techniques to present the topics being discussed, including endoscopes and computer graphics for internal shots, time-lapse photography to show the growth of hair and nails, magnetic resonance imaging and scanning electron microscopy. The series gained 6.3 million viewers and an audience share of 38%. The series was nominated for numerous awards, winning several, including three BAFTA awards, four RTS awards and a Peabody Award. A DVD of the series was released in