Collapsing Trachea

Revision as of 14:43, 19 February 2011 by Bara (talk | contribs) (Text replace - "[[Trachea Inflammatory - Pathology" to "[[Tracheitis")


Collapsed trachea (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)
Tracheal collapse (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)
  • Occurs principally in
    • Horses - small ponies
    • Dogs - miniature and toy breeds eg: miniature Yorkshire terriers
    • Also cattle and goats
  • Degeneration of tracheal ring cartilage and replacement with fibrous tissue results in reduced tracheal ring stiffness
  • Flattening of the trachea dorsoventrally and widening of the dorsal membrane results in reduced airway diameter
  • Airway diameter is further reduced by thickening of the dorsal membrane
  • The dorsal membrane can become thickened with repeated low grade trauma/chronic tracheitis
  • Can be segmental and extrathoracic or intrathoracic
  • Extrathoracic collapse:
    • Inspiratory dyspnoea
    • Dorsal membrane prolapses into the lumen on inspiration, bulges out on expiration
  • Intrathoracic collapse
    • Expiratory dyspnoea
    • Dorsal membrane prolapses into the lumen on expiration, bulges out on inspiration
    • Some dogs exhibit a characteristic "goose-honk" cough

Test yourself with the Trachea Pathology Flashcards

Trachea Pathology Flashcards