Passage of a tube into the trachea through the nose or mouth to open the airway for delivery of air, oxygen, or anesthesia.
Insertion of a rubber or plastic tube through the nose or mouth into the trachea. The tube often has a cuff at its lower end which, when inflated, provides an airtight seal. This allows an anaesthetist to supply oxygen or anaesthetic gases to the lungs with the knowledge of exactly how much the patient is feceiving. Endotracheal intubation is necessary to undertake artificial ventilation of a patient.
The insertion of an endotracheal tube through the nose or mouth into the trachea to maintain the airway, to administer an anesthetic gas or oxygen, or to aspirate secretions.