Respiratory System - Abnormalities
Introduction
Abnormalities of the respiratory system include not only lung development but also the upper respiratory tract, the supporting musculoskeletal system and the vascular system. In addition, some respiratory problems arise from prematurity of birth or difficulty with the birth process itself.
Abnormality Links: abnormal development | abnormal genetic | abnormal environmental | Unknown | teratogens | ectopic pregnancy | cardiovascular abnormalities | coelom abnormalities | endocrine abnormalities | gastrointestinal abnormalities | genital abnormalities | head abnormalities | integumentary abnormalities | musculoskeletal abnormalities | limb abnormalities | neural abnormalities | neural crest abnormalities | placenta abnormalities | renal abnormalities | respiratory abnormalities | hearing abnormalities | vision abnormalities | twinning | Developmental Origins of Health and Disease | ICD-11 | ||
|
Some Recent Findings
Respiratory Tract Abnormalities
Tracheoesophageal Fistula
(Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula, Oesophageal Atresia) - Oesophageal Atresia with or without tracheo-oesophageal fistula
Lobar Emphysema (Overinflated Lung)
- There is an overinflated left upper lobe
- There is a collapsed lower lobe
- The left lung is herniating across the mediastinum
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Failure of the pleuroperitoneal foramen (foramen of Bochdalek) to close allows viscera into thorax. Intestine, stomach or spleen can enter the pleural cavity, compressing the lung.
Azygos Lobe
Common condition (0.5% of population). The right lung upper lobe expands either side of the posterior cardinal. There is also some course variability of the phrenic nerve in the presence of an azygos lobe.
Congenital Laryngeal Webs
Laryngeal abnormality due to embryonic (week 10) incomplete recanalization of the laryngotracheal tube during the fetal period. Rare abnormality occuring mainly at the level of the vocal folds (glottis).
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
(MAS) Meconium is the gastrointestinal contents that accumulate in the intestines during the fetal period. Fetal stress in the third trimester, prior to/at/ or during parturition can lead to premature meconium discharge into the amniotic fluid and sunsequent ingestion by the fetus and damage to respiratory function. Damage to placental vessels meconium myonecrosis may also occur.
- meconium is formed from gut and associated organ secretions as well as cells and debris from the swallowed amniotic fluid.
- Meconium accumulates during the fetal period in the large intestine (bowel). It can be described as being a generally dark colour (green black) , sticky and odourless.
- Normally this meconium is defaecated (passed) postnatally over the first 48 hours and then transitional stools from day 4.
- Abnormally this meconium is defaecated in utero, due to oxygen deprivation and other stresses. Premature discharge into the amniotic sac can lead to mixing with amniotic fluid and be reswallowed by the fetus. This is meconium aspiration syndrome and can damage both the developing lungs and placental vessels.
Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome
(Hyaline Membrane Disease) medline plus | eMedicine
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
A chronic lung disease which can occur following premature birth. The definition of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has in recent years changed from a severe lung injury and associated repair, to more of a disruption of lung development.
OMIM
List of respiratory related abnormalities Respiratory and Diaphragmatic Hernia.
References
Reviews
Articles
Search Pubmed
Search Pubmed: Respiratory System Developmental Abnormalities | Tracheoesophageal Fistula | Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia | Congenital Laryngeal Webs | Hyaline Membrane Disease |
Glossary Links
- Glossary: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Numbers | Symbols | Term Link
Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, June 27) Embryology Respiratory System - Abnormalities. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Respiratory_System_-_Abnormalities
- © Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G