airway
n.the passage in your body that allows air to go in and out of your lungs. You need to keep this clear so you can breathe properly.
n.the passage through which air reaches the lungs, including the nose, mouth, and throat. Often used in medical contexts regarding emergency resuscitation or respiratory health.
“The doctor checked the patient's airway to make sure they could breathe.”
“During the first aid course, we learned how to tilt the head back to open a person's airway.”
“The medical team worked quickly to clear the patient's obstructed airway, as any prolonged lack of oxygen could lead to irreversible brain damage or cardiac arrest.”
Often used in the singular when referring to the general path of breath, but pluralized when discussing specific anatomical structures.
“In healthy people, these cells pack together and "jam" up to form a solid, stable lining that protects the airways.”
From air + way.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.