transtracheal oxygen /-trā″kē·əl/ [L, trans, across; Gk, tracheia, rough artery, oxys, sharp, genein, to produce] , the administration of oxygen via a low-flow catheter inserted directly into the trachea. It is sometimes preferred to the administration of oxygen through a nasal cannula because there is limited loss of oxygen to the environment. Disadvantages include increased risk of infection.