Updated July 01, 2015.

Definition: Intubation is the process of inserting a tube, called an endotracheal tube, through the mouth and then into the airway. This is done so that a patient can be placed on a ventilator to assist with breathing. The tube is then connected to a ventilator, which pushes air into the lungs to deliver a breath to the patient. 

In some cases, if the mouth or throat is being operated upon, the tube is threaded through the nose instead of the mouth, which is called a nasal intubation, which is then threaded into the airway.

This is done to keep the mouth empty and allow the surgery to be performed.

Intubation is required when general anesthesia is given. The anesthesia drugs paralyze the muscles of the body, including the diaphragm, which makes it impossible to take a breath without a ventilator. Most patients are extubated, meaning the breathing tube is removed, after surgery.  If they patient is very ill, or having difficulty breathing on their own, they may remain on the ventilator a longer period of time. 

More Information: All About Anesthesia

Pronunciation: in-too-bay-shun

Also Known As: ET tube, breathing tube, ventilation, intubated, intubate,

Common Misspellings: entubation, inntubation, intoobation, intobation, entobation, intubasion,

Examples: The intubation was performed and then the surgery began.