Which structure does the trachea connect to at its upper end?

The trachea connects to the larynx at its upper end. The larynx, often referred to as the voice box, serves as a critical passageway for air moving from the pharynx down into the trachea and subsequently into the lungs. This connection is vital for proper airflow and phonation.

The larynx plays a central role not only in respiration but also in protecting the airway during swallowing by preventing food and liquids from entering the trachea. Its anatomical placement directly allows the trachea to serve as the airway conduit leading from the larynx to the bronchi, thereby facilitating efficient gas exchange in the lungs.

Pharynx, while associated with the upper respiratory tract, is the area above the larynx that handles both air and food but does not directly connect with the trachea. The nasal cavity is involved in inhalation but leads to the pharynx, not directly to the trachea. The bronchi are the main branches from the trachea that enter the lungs but are located at the lower end of the trachea. Thus, the connection of the trachea at its upper end is exclusively to the larynx.