 A tracheal tube is a catheter that is inserted into the trachea for the primary purpose of establishing and maintaining a patent ( open and unobstructed ) airway . Tracheal tubes are frequently used for airway management in the settings of general anesthesia , critical care , mechanical ventilation and emergency medicine . Many different types of tracheal tubes are available , suited for different specific applications . An endotracheal tube is a specific type of tracheal tube that is nearly always inserted through the mouth ( orotracheal ) or nose ( nasotracheal ) . It is a breathing conduit designed to be placed into the airway of critically injured , ill or anesthetized patients in order to perform mechanical positive pressure ventilation of the lungs and to prevent the possibility of aspiration or airway obstruction . The endotracheal tube has a fitting designed to be connected to a source of pressurized gas such as oxygen . At the other end is an orifice through which such gases are directed into the lungs and may also include a balloon ( referred to as a cuff ) . The tip of the endotracheal tube is positioned above the carina ( before the trachea divides to each lung ) and sealed within the trachea so that the lungs can be ventilated equally . A tracheostomy tube is another type of tracheal tube ; this 2 – 3 @-@ inch @-@ long ( 51 – 76 mm ) curved metal or plastic tube is inserted into a tracheostomy stoma or a cricothyrotomy incision . 
