What Is an Endotracheal Tube? A Plain-Language Guide

Last verified: October 6, 2026. An endotracheal tube, often called an ET tube, is a flexible, hollow tube placed through the mouth or nose and into the trachea, the windpipe that carries air to the lungs. Once in position, it keeps the airway open, gives a dependable path for air, and can be connected to a manual resuscitator or a ventilator. This guide explains what an endotracheal tube is, how it is built, the main types, how it differs from other tubes people confuse it with, and what it means for staff who stock, purchase and manage clinical supplies. It is general information, not clinical or safety training; always follow your institution’s procedures and the manufacturer’s instructions.

What Is an Endotracheal Tube?

The word “endotracheal” means “within the trachea.” An endotracheal tube is therefore a tube whose working end sits inside the windpipe, while the other end stays outside the body and connects to equipment. The tube is made of a smooth, flexible plastic so that it can follow the curve of the airway, and it is clear enough or marked so that its depth can be tracked. The process of placing it is called intubation.

The tube does three jobs. It holds the airway open when the person cannot do so themselves. It carries air or oxygen-enriched gas directly to and from the lungs. And, when it has a small inflatable cuff, it helps seal the airway so that gas goes where it is intended and so that fluids from the throat are less likely to travel down into the lungs.

Why It Exists: The Problem an Endotracheal Tube Solves

Breathing depends on an open, protected airway. During general anesthesia, muscles relax and protective reflexes are reduced. In serious illness or injury, a person may be too weak, too drowsy or too unwell to breathe effectively or to keep the airway clear. A mask held over the face can help for a while, but it can leak, it can let air enter the stomach, and it does not secure the airway.

An endotracheal tube provides a more secure solution. It lets a machine or a trained person control breathing reliably for as long as it is needed, whether that is a short operation or an extended period of intensive care. It also gives a route for delivering certain medicines and for removing secretions from the airway.

The Parts of an Endotracheal Tube

• The tube shaft — the main flexible body, usually with length markings along its side and a radiopaque line so it can be seen on an X-ray to confirm position.
• The distal tip — the end that goes into the trachea, usually rounded or angled to reduce injury, and often with a small side opening that offers an alternative path for air.
• The cuff — a thin balloon near the tip, present in many adult tubes, that is inflated to seal against the wall of the trachea.
• The pilot balloon and inflation line — a small tube and balloon outside the body that connect to the cuff, allowing the cuff to be inflated and giving an indication of whether it is inflated.
• The proximal connector — a standard fitting at the outer end that connects to a bag-valve-mask, a ventilator circuit or other breathing equipment.
• Size and labelling — tubes are labelled by internal diameter and length so the correct size can be selected for the patient. The label also usually indicates features such as cuffed or uncuffed.

Who Uses an Endotracheal Tube

Anesthesia teams use endotracheal tubes in many surgeries. Emergency physicians, critical care staff, paramedics and flight or transport clinicians place them in emergencies. Neonatal and pediatric teams use small sizes designed for newborns and children. Veterinarians use tubes scaled for animals, and research facilities that work with animal models may use them in anesthesia protocols. Placement is a skilled procedure learned through supervised training and is performed by people credentialed to do it, typically with a laryngoscope or other viewing aid and with monitoring in place.

Types of Endotracheal Tubes

• Cuffed and uncuffed — cuffed tubes are common in adults; uncuffed tubes have historically been used in the smallest patients, though practice varies and many modern pediatric tubes are available with cuffs.
• Oral and nasal designs — most tubes are placed through the mouth. Some are designed or curved for placement through the nose, for example where the mouth needs to be kept clear for dental or other surgery.
• Reinforced tubes — tubes with a wire or similar spiral in the wall resist kinking and are used where the head or neck will be moved or positioned unusually.
• Preformed tubes — tubes with a built-in curve intended to direct the outer end away from the surgical field.
• Tubes with suction ports — some designs have an extra channel that allows secretions above the cuff to be removed.
• Specialty designs — tubes made for particular situations, such as laser surgery or for isolating one lung during chest surgery, exist and require specific training.

Endotracheal tubes are almost always single-use and supplied sterile, then discarded after one patient.

How an Endotracheal Tube Differs from Related Devices

• Endotracheal tube vs. tracheostomy tube — a tracheostomy tube enters the windpipe through an opening made in the front of the neck rather than through the mouth or nose. It is used for longer-term airway support and is a different device with different care needs.
• Endotracheal tube vs. nasogastric tube — a nasogastric tube passes through the nose into the stomach for feeding or drainage. It goes to the digestive tract, not the airway, and confusing the two is a recognised safety concern, which is why position checks are emphasised in training.
• Endotracheal tube vs. laryngoscope — the laryngoscope is the viewing instrument used to help place the tube; it does not stay in the patient.
• Endotracheal tube vs. supraglottic airway — some airway devices sit above the vocal cords rather than passing through them. They are simpler to place but give a different level of airway protection.
• Endotracheal tube vs. chest tube — despite the similar sound, a chest tube drains air or fluid from around the lung and has nothing to do with breathing gas delivery.

Where It Fits with Other Equipment

An endotracheal tube is one part of an airway system. A bag-valve-mask may be attached to give breaths by hand, and a ventilator can take over for longer periods. After placement, clinicians confirm the tube is in the correct position using several methods, which may include listening to breath sounds with a stethoscope, watching chest movement, using a carbon dioxide detector and, in some settings, imaging. The tube is then secured in place, because movement can cause serious problems.

Practical Relevance for Research Administration and Procurement

For people responsible for budgets, supplies, compliance or facility readiness, endotracheal tubes bring a few recurring considerations.

• Size range. Tubes come in many sizes. A site must hold an assortment appropriate to its patient population, and emergency stocks usually include sizes above and below the expected one.
• Single-use inventory. Because tubes are discarded after use, consumption follows case volume, and stock needs regular rotation checks since packaging and materials have shelf-life limits.
• Specialty tubes. Reinforced, preformed, nasal and other special designs cost more and are used less often, so decisions about which to hold are made with the clinical teams that use them.
• Compatibility. Connectors, cuff-inflation fittings and accessories should work with the site’s breathing circuits and syringes.
• Latex and materials. Sites with latex-sensitive populations usually specify latex-free products and review the material composition of the pilot balloon and cuff.
• Training and simulation. Training programs and research labs using manikins or animal models purchase tubes in quantity for practice, separate from clinical stock.
• Storage and traceability. Emergency airway kits are generally checked on a schedule, with lot numbers and expiry dates logged.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an endotracheal tube used for?

It is used to keep the airway open and to connect a patient to equipment that delivers breaths, most often during anesthesia, emergency care or intensive care.

What does intubation mean?

Intubation is the act of placing a tube, in this context an endotracheal tube, into the windpipe. Removing it is called extubation.

Why does an endotracheal tube have a cuff?

The cuff is a small balloon that is inflated to seal the airway around the tube. This helps ensure that gas delivered by a ventilator reaches the lungs and helps reduce the chance that secretions from above enter the lungs.

Is an endotracheal tube the same as a tracheostomy tube?

No. An endotracheal tube is placed through the mouth or nose, while a tracheostomy tube is placed through an opening made in the neck. Tracheostomy is generally considered when airway support is needed over a longer time.

Are endotracheal tubes reusable?

They are generally supplied sterile and intended for single patient use, then discarded according to facility waste procedures.

Who is allowed to place an endotracheal tube?

Placement is limited to clinicians trained and credentialed in airway management. Rules about who may perform it vary by country, employer and setting.