Figures & data
Figure 1 Airway dynamics: tracheomalacia.
Notes: Airway lumen during inspiration (A). During expiration, there is an inward bulging of the posterior membrane. This process is physiological and is called dynamic airway collapse (DAC) (B). The pathologic exaggeration of this process results in a reduction in cross-sectional area of 50% or more and is called excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) (C). The pathological collapse of the cartilaginous rings represents tracheobronchomalacia (TBM). The crescent type of TBM occurs when the anterior cartilaginous wall is softened and results in excessive narrowing of the sagittal airway diameter (D). The saber-sheath type of TBM is a result of softening of the lateral walls and excessive narrowing of the transverse airway diameter (E). The circumferential (combined) type of TBM is characterized by anterior and lateral airway wall collapse and is usually associated with significant airway wall inflammation (F). Copyright © 2006 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology, Reproduced from Murgu SD, Colt HG. Tracheobronchomalacia and excessive dynamic airway collapse. Respirology. 2006;11(4):388–406.Citation6
