The wonderful world of the windpipe: a review of central airway anatomy and pathology

Can Assoc Radiol J. 2015 Feb;66(1):30-43. doi: 10.1016/j.carj.2014.08.003.

Abstract

A variety of pathologic processes can involve the central airways. Abnormalities may either diffusely or focally involve the tracheal or mainstem bronchial walls. Diseases that diffusely involve the tracheal wall can be subclassified as sparing the membranous trachea or circumferentially involving the tracheal wall. Focal diseases of the trachea and mainstem bronchi include benign and malignant causes. Additionally, congenital and acquired morphologic abnormalities of the trachea will be reviewed.

Keywords: Central airway abnormalities; Tracheal neoplasms; Tracheobronchial pathology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amyloidosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bronchi / anatomy & histology
  • Bronchography
  • Carcinoma / complications
  • Carcinoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Osteochondrodysplasias / diagnostic imaging
  • Papilloma / complications
  • Papilloma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / diagnostic imaging
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Trachea / abnormalities
  • Trachea / anatomy & histology
  • Trachea / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tracheal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Tracheal Neoplasms / complications
  • Tracheal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tracheal Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Tracheal Stenosis / etiology
  • Tracheobronchomegaly / diagnostic imaging
  • Tracheomalacia / diagnostic imaging

Supplementary concepts

  • Tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica