The esophagus and trachea are separated by the tracheoesophageal septum.
The formation of the tracheoesophageal septum is the critical process that divides the foregut into two distinct tubes: the ventral trachea (airway) and the dorsal esophagus (food pipe). This separation is essential for proper respiratory and digestive function.
If this separation fails during embryonic development, it can lead to a congenital defect known as a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). In TEF, there's an abnormal connection between the trachea and the esophagus. This can cause significant problems, such as food entering the lungs and difficulty breathing.
