Bronchial atresia pathophysiology

Overview
Bronchial atresia occurs when the segmental bronchus fails to connect with or communicate with the more central airways. The underlying pathophysiology is unclear and contested amongst researchers.

Pathophysiology
The underlying basis of the disorder is not clear. It has been hypothesized to be the result of a vascular injury to the lung at approximately 15 to 16 weeks gestation. An alternate hypothesis is that the disorder occurs secondary to separation of the bronchial bud during the 5th to 6th week of gestation. Pulmonary sequestration and bronchogenic cysts also form during this early period of fetal development and may share an underlying pahtophysiology.

The most common anatomic locations include the following:
 * 1) The apical posterior segment of the left upper lobe
 * 2) The left lower lobe
 * 3) The right middle lobe