endotracheal tube
(ĕn‵dō-trā'kē-ăl 
)
[‵ + ‵]
ABBR: ET
A catheter inserted into the trachea to provide or protect an airway.
SEE: illus..
SYN: tracheal tube; intubation tube.
Although an ET is often thought to be the most secure and definitive airway, its use in emergencies may be complicated by misplacement, e.g., in the esophagus instead of in the trachea, displacement, e.g., during patient transport, or injury to the airway.