What happens when we push the trachea down?

Question

okie..this is the exact question..plz help me..

PLace your index finger on the trachea of the fetal pig and push downward. Describe what happens?

plz..plz...help me...thank u

Answer 1

The trachea being pressed down compacts the tissues dorsal to it (assuming you are looking at the ventral side of the pig), but the trachea does NOT collapse. This is because it has rings of cartilage that keep it from closing. Our bodies can afford to let other things (like the esophagus, directly dorsal to the trachea) flatten, because muscle can contract and force the food down. However, this would not work with air, because air is compressible... thus, the body's solution is to provide a hose that can't collapse (unless you use a LOT more force).

Answer 2

poor pig, you're choking it!