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Tubes designed for insertion through the mouth, or less frequently, through the nose, into the trachea (i.e., endotracheal) to provide an airway for gases and vapors to the lungs. Orotracheal intubation is performed by passing the tube through the mouth and larynx and into the trachea; in nasotracheal intubation, a tube is inserted through the nose. These devices typically consist of a clear, single-lumen, plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride) tube that may include a cuff, a valve for Luer-lock syringe tips, and connectors to match external ventilation/anesthesia devices; some tubes are totally or partially opaque to x-rays (e.g., with a radiopaque line throughout the length of the tube). Tracheal tubes are used during ventilation, resuscitation, and anesthesia procedures; they are also used in other situations when the patient is not properly ventilated. Dedicated tubes appropriate for one-lung or jet ventilation are available. Tracheal tubes with high resistance to laser radiation are also available.
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