Which structure carries air from the throat to the lungs?

The trachea is the structure responsible for carrying air from the throat to the lungs. It serves as a crucial airway passage that extends from the larynx (the voice box) and branches into the right and left bronchi, which lead to each of the lungs. The trachea is supported by C-shaped rings of cartilage, which help keep the airway open and prevent collapse when air is drawn into the lungs or when pressure changes occur during breathing.

The esophagus, on the other hand, is the tube that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach and is not involved in the passage of air. The bronchi are the branches that stem from the trachea and distribute air into the lungs but do not carry air from the throat directly. The pharynx is a part of the throat that serves as a pathway for both air and food but does not itself transport air to the lungs; instead, it directs air into the trachea. Hence, the trachea is the only structure among the choices that specifically functions to transport air directly to the lungs.