Embryogenesis of tracheo esophageal anomalies: a review

Abstract

The embryology of the normal esophagus and trachea is controversial. There are two main opinions regarding the role played by the tracheoesophageal (TE) septum. Similar controversy exists in explaining the embryology of anomalous TE development, mainly due to a lack of embryos demonstrating these anomalies at critical stages during development. Proposed theories can be divided into four main groups: intraembryonic pressure; epithelial occlusion; differential growth; and vascular occlusion. More recently, a new theory has been described based on analysis of anomalous TE development in adriamycin (doxorubicin)-exposed rat embryos. Impaired tracheal development, with the foregut developing into..