Final answer:
The tubular structure that extends from the larynx into the mediastinum is the trachea, also known as the windpipe. It connects the larynx to the lungs, providing an unobstructed path for air to reach the lungs. The trachea is composed of cartilage rings that prevent collapsing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tubular structure that extends from the larynx inferiorly for 12-14 cm into the mediastinum is the trachea. The tubular structure that extends from the larynx into the mediastinum is the trachea, also known as the windpipe. It connects the larynx to the lungs, providing an unobstructed path for air to reach the lungs. The trachea is composed of cartilage rings that prevent collapsing.
The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is a cartilaginous tube that connects the larynx to the lungs. It is composed of stacked C-shaped pieces of hyaline cartilage and is lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. The trachea provides an unobstructed path for air to reach the lungs and is supported by cartilage rings that prevent collapsing.