Trachea emergency situation, and this is a cricothyrotomy. Tracheal agenesis, is a rare birth defect in which the trachea fails to develop. The defect is usually fatal though sometimes surgical intervention has been successful. A tracheoesophageal fistula is a congenital defect in which the trachea and esophagus are abnormally connected. Sometimes as an anatomical variation one or more of the tracheal rings are completely formed. These "O" rings are smaller than the normal C-shaped and can cause narrowing of the trachea resulting in breathing difficulties. An operation called a "slide tracheoplasty" can be performed which opens up the rings and rejoins
The Human Body (TV series) The Human Body (TV series) The Human Body is a seven-part documentary series, first shown on 20 May 1998 on BBC One and presented by medical scientist Robert Winston. A co-production between the BBC and The Learning Channel, the series looks at the mechanics and emotions of the human body from birth to death. The series was nominated for numerous awards, winning several, including three BAFTA awards, four RTS awards and a Peabody Award. Described as the BBC's "first major TV series on human biology", it took over two years to make and aimed to be the definitive set of