What is the medical term for inflammation of the trachea?

The medical term for inflammation of the trachea is tracheitis. This condition specifically refers to the inflammation occurring in the trachea, which is the windpipe that connects the throat to the lungs. Tracheitis is often caused by infection, either viral or bacterial, and can lead to symptoms such as a cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.

Understanding the term requires distinguishing it from other similar-sounding conditions. For instance, bronchitis refers to inflammation of the bronchi, the major air passages that branch from the trachea into the lungs, while pneumonitis is inflammation of the lung tissue itself. Rhinitis, on the other hand, involves inflammation of the nasal mucosa. These distinctions are critical in clinical practice for accurate diagnosis and treatment.