Hyaline cartilage has a primary function to?

Hyaline cartilage serves various essential functions in the body, and one of its primary roles is to provide support, particularly in structures where flexibility and resilience are needed. In the case of the trachea, hyaline cartilage forms C-shaped rings that support the airway, preventing it from collapsing during breathing and allowing it to remain open. This structural integrity is crucial for maintaining proper airflow to and from the lungs.

While the other options may involve functions that cartilage can support to some extent, they are not the defining role of hyaline cartilage. The thyroid protection, increasing surface area, and connecting the conchae pertain more specifically to other structures or types of cartilage but do not highlight the primary supportive function of hyaline cartilage in the trachea.