Abstract
Tracheal anomalies are potentially catastrophic congenital defects. As a newborn begins
to breathe, the trachea needs to maintain an appropriate balance of elasticity and
rigidity. If the tracheal cartilages are disorganized or structurally weak, the airways
can collapse, obstructing breathing. Cartilage rings that are too small or too rigid
can also obstruct breathing. These anomalies are frequently associated with craniofacial
syndromes, and, despite the importance, are poorly understood. In this review, we
summarize the spectrum of pathological phenotypes of the trachea and correlate them
with the molecular events uncovered in mouse models.
Keywords
trachea - mouse models - human congenital anomaly - cartilage
