A congenital or acquired abnormality of the wall of the trachea. In congenital cases, there is lack of rigidity in the cartilage of the tracheal wall. In acquired cases, the cartilage of the tracheal wall is degenerated, secondary to tracheostomy or prolonged presence of a breathing tube, or as a complication of a tracheoesophageal fistula surgical repair. Symptoms include stridor, noisy breathing, and upper respiratory infections.

A congenital or acquired condition of underdeveloped or degeneration of CARTILAGE in the TRACHEA. This results in a floppy tracheal wall making patency difficult to maintain. It is characterized by wheezing and difficult breathing.

(congenital tracheomalacia) Congenital tracheomalacia is a rare condition where the trachea is soft and flexible causing the tracheal wall to collapse when exhaling, coughing or crying, that usually presents in infancy, and that is characterized by stridor and noisy breathing or upper respiratory infections. Tracheomalacia improves by the age of 18-24 months.

Tracheomalacia is a process characterized by flaccidity of the supporting tracheal cartilage, widening of the posterior membranous wall, and reduced anterior-posterior airway caliber. These factors cause tracheal collapse, especially during times of increased airflow, such as coughing, crying, or feeding.