Abstract
Esophageal atresia (OA) and tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF) are important human birth defects of unknown etiology. The embryogenesis of OA/TOF remains poorly understood, mirroring the lack of clarity of the mechanisms of normal tracheoesophageal development. The development of rat and mouse models of OA/TOF has allowed the parallel study of both normal and abnormal embryogenesis. Although controversies persist, the fundamental morphogenetic process appears to be a rearrangement of the proximal foregut into separate respiratory (ventral) and gastrointestinal (dorsal) tubes. This process depends on the precise temporal and spatial pattern of expression of a number of foregut patterning genes. Disturbance of this pattern disrupts foregut separation and underlies the development of tracheoesophageal malformations.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2-11 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Seminars in Pediatric Surgery |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2009 |
Keywords
- Atresia
- Embryology
- Malformations
- Oesophagus
- Separation
- Tracheooesophageal