Tracheoesophageal fistula
A tracheoesophageal fistula is a connection (fistula) between the esophagusand the trachea. It is commonly seen with esophageal atresia. Congenitally it occurs because the tracheoesphageal ridges fail to fuse. Additionally, fistulas are made artificially in patients who have undergone a laryngectomy, as this can serve as way for generating sound in replacement of the removed voice box.
External links
TOFS: The Tracheo Oesophageal Support Group
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracheoesophageal+fistula Wikipedia article Tracheoesophageal fistula.
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