| malfunction | Disordered, inadequate, or abnormal function. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| tracheostomy | <procedure, surgery> The surgical creation of an artificial airway in the trachea (windpipe) on the anterior surface of the neck. (27 Sep 1997) |
| tracheostomy button | A 1/2- to 1 1/2-inch-long plastic tube placed in the stoma to keep it open. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tracheostomy tube | A 2- to 3-inch metal or plastic tube that keeps the stoma and trachea open. Also called a trach ( trake ) tube. (12 Dec 1998) |